Frampton feels Ror of the fans

CARL FRAMPTON can feel the weight of expectation from his homeland but he can handle the pressure.

The former two-weight champion bids to get back on top of the world tonight when he takes on Josh Warrington for the IBF featherweight crown at Manchester Arena.

He’s had good luck messages from Northern Ireland heroes David Healy and Rory McIlroy.

Perform

The country hopes to see the Belfast man back as a world champion almost two years after he lost the WBA crown to Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas.

“There is always pressure on me, it’s heaped on me all the time but I think I can perform well under pressure,” said Frampton.

“I can handle it. There are big expectations but I think being away from Belfast things are a bit more relaxed and that’s a good thing.”

Frampton, 31, has been written off by some since he lost to Santa Cruz, having also split with manager Barry McGuigan and trainer Shane McGuigan.

But he believes becoming a four-time world champion will prove he was right to link up with Manchester-based coach Jamie Moore.

“If I win a world title people think I’ve made the right call choosing him and that plays a part in it too,” said ‘The Jackal’.

There is a big family Christmas dinner planned and Frampton is hoping to have a glittering IBF belt to go under the tree.

He added: “Win, lose or draw it is going to be a good Christmas. There are more important things in life but I’m just focused on winning this.”