Carl’s prime time
CARL FRAMPTON believes he can end his knockout drought by flooring Luke Jackson at Windsor Park tomorrow.
The Belfast fighter believes his dream night at the home of the Northern Ireland football team will even top headlining in Las Vegas.
And he wants a knockout result to remember as he aims for his first stoppage win since he beat Chris Avalos in February 2015.
Frampton said: “Of course I want to look good, I want to look impressive, but the main thing is that I win.
“I can take out any featherweight if I hit them clean. I know my recent run of results going to points doesn’t suggest that but, believe you me, I can punch.
“It could be over in a round but I’m prepared to go for 12 rounds. I’ve got the pop to take him out in the first round. That’s not disrespectful to him, that goes for any featherweight in the world.”
Frampton may now be 31 but he believes he is still improving ahead of his clash with the Australian underdog, which will be his 27th professional fight.
Frampton left mentor Barry McGuigan and trainer Shane McGuigan last year – a decision that shocked with at the Manchester Institute of Health and Performance can back it up.
He said: “I genuinely believe I am in my prime. I am very happy now.
“I was beating big names, I was beating Leo Santa Cruz, and I wasn’t happy, even when I beat Scott Quigg to unify the super-bantamweight division.
“These were big performances that I was winning and I was fed up of boxing and I was talking about the day I would have enough money to retire. I’m not thinking about that now. I’m thinking about longevity, I want to keep going. I feel good, I feel like I’m in my prime.”
Frampton has sold out the SSE Arena in Belfast on a number of occasions and fought Santa Cruz in New York and Las Vegas, but starring at the home of his beloved Northern Ireland tops the lot. He said: “This is it. I’ve obviously topped the bill in Vegas, which is another thing. These are all things you can talk about and reminisce on when you are an old man.
“This will be one I talk about more than even beating Leo Santa Cruz in New York – fighting at Windsor Park against Luke Jackson will be the one that creates the most memories – and fond memories.”