FRAMPTON: I’LL BE HOLDING UP TWO FINGERS TO THE DOUBTERS
Warrington claims Frampton will be finished when he loses, adding it will be embarrassing for him because of the way he has dismissed his record.
Unbeaten Warrington, 28, makes the first defence of his IBF featherweight title against Frampton at Manchester Arena and says the Ulsterman is heading for a big fall. “If he loses FATHER TIME catches up with everyone but Carl Frampton believes he will roll back the years on Saturday night. Frampton is bidding to become a four-time world champion when he takes on
Josh Warrington in Manchester. On the line will be Warrington’s IBF featherweight strap, a belt the Yorkshireman claimed off Lee Selby in a 12-round battle at Elland Road in May.
It has been suggested Warrington believes Frampton, left, is past his best, a fighter who has lost his mojo. The media to me after downplaying some of my wins, it will kind of be embarrassing in a way,” he said.
“He can turn around and say Josh is a good fighter and a world champ and all of that, but I think it will be his pipe and slippers moment.
“If he gets beat by me, where does he go from here?
“Since he lost his world title to Leo Santa Cruz, which is nearly two years ago, he hasn’t had a
JOSH WARRINGTON
murmurs – which Warrington denies – haven’t gone unnoticed by The Jackal.
“I think no matter what Josh and his team say, they think I am over the hill,” said Frampton.
“I have seen things in the media which suggest that. I think when this fight is taking place – and it is getting sticky and turns into a dogfight – I am prepared for it and they will see I am not over the hill.
“Josh says he wants it more than me but it will be very hard to want it more than I want it.” world-title shot.” Frampton is 31 and Warrington says the former two-weight world champion knows he is coming towards the end because he keeps mentioning retiring.
He added: “He is always talking about retirement and it looks to me that he is thinking that he’s coming near the end.
“You don’t hear that from me and I want Before losing to Santa Cruz in January 2017, Frampton had been recognised by Ring Magazine as their Fighter of the
Year. to go on and unify the division and fight WBO champ Oscar Valdez. You’re planting the seed if you’re talking about hanging up the gloves – you start sliding.
“You think you still have fight in you and you keep telling yourself that.
“But when the fight comes and you’re into the latter stages and you’re hurting, your arms are aching, you’ve got to look for that bit of energy to get you through, but it won’t be there.” He had also eased on to every pound-forpound list that was worth reading.
But that points defeat to Santa Cruz in their rematch – and the acrimonious split from Barry Mcguigan later that year – suddenly had some people doubting Frampton.
The past 24 months must feel like a road to redemption for the 31-year-old. The journey saw him join up with trainer Jamie Moore, inset, a partnership that has enjoyed three wins so far including impressive victories over Nonito Donaire and Luke Jackson.
“The hunger is probably there more than ever because I have been written off. I fought Scott Quigg before the two fights with Leo Santa Cruz. I got beat the second time against Santa Cruz in a close fight and I got wrote off,” Frampton added.
“I want this title more than I have ever wanted a title. There are people out here who think I am done so winning this will be two fingers up at them.”