Frampton plan to thrill the fans

CARL FRAMPTON’S earliest memories of visiting Windsor Park are watching his beloved Northern Ireland taking on world champions France.

On Saturday – exactly 19 years to the day – the Belfast hero hopes to edge closer to becoming a world champion again by creating memories for his own fans at the home of Northern Irish football.

Frampton, 31, was a wide-eyed 12-year-old when the likes of Lilian Thuram and Patrick Vieira helped France to a 1-0 win just a year after lifting the World Cup on home soil.

France were crowned world champions this summer. But this time Frampton will be the star on show in the centre circle ring, with 25,000 home fans roaring him on against Aussie underdog Luke Jackson.

“My first memory of watching Northern Ireland play was against France,” said Frampton, who has lost just once in 26 fights. “I remember Thuram more than anyone – he must have had a great game.”

“It was only a few years ago when I realised I could fight there. It happens when you start to sell out arenas.

“It has been stated that this is my childhood dream, but it hasn’t been because I never thought there would be a possibility of fighting in a football stadium. I don’t think any kid thinks that.”

The former WBA super-bantamweight and featherweight champ tops the bill this weekend.

His best pal Paddy Barnes fights for the WBC flyweight title against Cristofer Rosales in just his sixth fight, while former heavyweight king Tyson Fury is the headline grabber as he continues his comeback against Francesco Pianeta.

Struggle

Frampton said: “Big Fury is on the bill and if Paddy Barnes wins a world title and I beat Luke Jackson, it could go down as a historic sporting event in Northern Ireland.”

Frampton also reckons London 2012 Olympian Jackson, who is unbeaten in 16 fights but has never fought as a pro outside Australia, will struggle with the atmosphere.

He said: “He’s talked about boxing in front of big crowds at the Olympics but this is different. This is going to be really hostile – it won’t be people sitting and clapping a good shot. This is going to be completely different.

“I don’t know what he’s expecting. It’s going to be very, very noisy and something he’s never experienced before.”

Starsport revealed earlier this week that Frampton will earn a shot at IBF featherweight champ Josh Warrington later this year if he beats Jackson and avoids injury.

Another win will also make him a mandatory challenger for WBO champion Oscar Valdez once he has recovered from a broken jaw.

He added: “It’s important to understand that the plan goes out the window if I don’t win this. I’m fully focused on Luke Jackson.”