Frampton aims to take first step towards dream

Carl Frampton’s first contest under new promoter Frank Warren will take place in Belfast in November.

The 30-year-old will fight an unconfirmed opponent on November 18 – his first bout since losing to Leo Santa Cruz in January.

Belfast-born Frampton announced his link-up with Warren on Sunday and will fight at the city’s SSE Arena.

He told a press conference: “We’re still looking at opponents. At the stage I’m at now it can’t be a mug, it needs to be a credible opponent. I’m looking at getting the big boys next year.

“I want to get back to winning ways, push on and hopefully get one of the big boys the fight after this one.

“What I want to do, and I’ve made it public, is a dream of mine – to box at Windsor Park. We have to wait until end of spring or summer time next year. I think it’s going to happen.

“I know Frank can help me get that. It’s what I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. There’s not an atmosphere like it, the Belfast atmosphere is always the best.”

Frampton split with longtime manager Barry McGuigan in August having turned professional in 2009 under McGuigan’s guidance.

He won the IBF and WBA belts of the world super-bantamweight title before beating Santa Cruz in July 2016 to clinch the WBA featherweight title.

Santa Cruz avenged his defeat in January and Frampton has not fought since.