Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FRAMPTON: I’ll decide on my future after Xmas
Wife proud of Frampton effort Jackal to decide on his future
CARL Frampton last night said he will take some time away from boxing before deciding on his future – as his wife hailed him her hero.
The 31-year-old lost out in his bid to become a four-time world champion on Saturday night, losing an enthralling battle with Josh Warrington at the Manchester Arena.
Bruised and crestfallen, the Belfast boxer held back the tears as he reflected on what was only his second defeat as a professional.
What the future holds for the former two-weight world champion remains unclear and Frampton says he will spend Christmas at home with his family before making a “conscious decision” on what to do next.
He said: “I’ll have to sit down with my team. I have a young family at home and I’ve been in this game a long time. I’ll have to sit down with my team, I’ll not make any decisions right now.
“I don’t even want to think about boxing for a while, I just want to go home and see my kids and we’ll see. I don’t know what I want to do.
“I want to chill out with my family and just forget about boxing for a wee while.
“I am not considering my future in boxing right now. I will get Christmas and the New Year out of the way and then make a conscious decision what I want to do.
“I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the many people who
reached out to show me support. I would also like to thank Jamie, Nige, the lads from VIP Gym, MTK global & Frank Warren for getting me into position to fight for a world title again.
“My support at home and the people who travelled so close to Christmas and made themselves heard.
“My family, who always have my best interest at heart, and anyone else who’s helped me to do what I do.
“I’m obviously extremely disappointed but I’d like to congratulate the champ Josh Warrington who deserved to have his hand raised.”
Frampton and Warrington served up a bruising encounter with promoter Frank Warren hailing the fight as the best he had ever seen in a British boxing ring.
The brutal exchanges were punctuated by a raucous atmosphere generated by 20,000 fans. Comedian Patrick Kielty tweeted after the fight: “And still... the
greatest chamhave pion and hero we have @Realcframpton Pure talent, bravery, heart and humility. It’s why we love you, our kid. Win, lose or draw.”
DJ Colin Murray added: “What a fight. Nothing but love for @Realcframpton in victory or defeat. Congratulations to @J_warrington – deserved winner... what class shown by both men. Credit to their sport. #Jackalarmy #GAWA #MOT”
Boxer and friend Paddy Barnes was due to do battle on the bill but his bout was cancelled. He tweeted: “Didn’t get to fight last night the show went on too late, don’t even care to be honest because I’m just gutted for Carl Frampton, gentleman and absolute warrior.”
Carl’s wife Christine, who was ringside on Saturday night, thanked all the fans for their support.
She tweeted: “Thank you for all the lovely messages. It really helps when our hearts are hurting. Carl is my hero xx”
Christine later posted a picture of the couple with the message: “My hero and my best friend. Always.”
Warrington – who defended his IBF world featherweight title with Saturday’s victory – said it was “an honour” to share the ring with Frampton.
Pure talent, bravery and heart ..why we love you PATRICK KIELTY
What class shown by both men, credit to the sport COLIN MURRAY
I’m just gutted for Carl, gentleman & absolute warrior PADDY BARNES
FRANK WARREN says he will back Carl Frampton if he quits in the wake of his crushing loss to Josh Warrington.
The Jackal’s career at the elite level appears over after his second pro defeat and the two-weight world champ says he will take time to consider his future.
Warren says he will support whatever decision the Belfast hero makes, even though he has just penned a new deal with him.
“We signed new long-term contracts with both before the fight and whatever he wants to do, I will be with him 100 per cent,” said the promoter. “If he said he wanted to pack it in, I would support him 100 per cent.
“It’s difficult for anyone to make a decision right now. He’s very disappointed. I just said to him ‘I know you’re disappointed, but you can only give what you’ve got and you did that tonight’.”
An emotional Frampton, 31, said: “I got beat fair and square. There are no excuses from me. I’m going to sit down now with my team and my family.
“I’ve been in this game a long time. I won’t make any decisions right now.”
Warrington doesn’t do flash and his biggest joy after beating Frampton by a unanimous decision was knowing he had made his family’s life easier.
“It means I can stop buying my babies’ dresses in ASDA, I can really spoil them,” said Warrington, who bust his hand in the fight. Warrington, who is now 28-0, plans to enjoy Christmas (with Tash, left) before targeting a shot at WBO title holder Valdez in 2019.
“I’m definitely ready for Valdez next,” said Warrington, now the WBO’S interim champion. I need to be part of those big fights. I want to beat the best.”
Warrington’s fairy tale just gets better and four years ago he still had his day job as a dental technician in case his boxing career did not work out.
He dominated two-weight world champ Frampton and set the tone in this fight of the year contender with a furious slugfest in the opening round, coming out best every time because of his superior strength and aggression.
“I knew I had to get Carl’s respect from the off,” said the 28-year-old. “I’ve got the power to earn the respect from any world champion and once I hurt him and had his respect, I could dictate the fight.”
Promoter Warren claims EX-WBO middleweight champ Billy Joe Saunders will fight again in March after stopping Charles Adamu in four rounds in their supermiddleweight contest.