Frampton insists he’s focused on Jackson

Carl Frampton has dismissed Luke Jackson’s claims he is looking beyond their fight tomorrow – and insists that after rediscovering his passion for boxing he has entered his prime.

The featherweight, 31, will achieve his long-term ambition of fighting at Belfast’s Windsor Park against Australia’s Jackson, but does so amid well-known plans for his next fight.

IBF champion Josh Warrington plans to be ringside and WBO title holder Oscar Valdez remains a potential alternative opponent, leading to the 33-year-old Jackson’s belief he is being overlooked.

It is also little secret that until his defeat by Warrington, Wales’ Lee Selby was in contention to be Frampton’s opponent before Jackson’s selection.

Tomorrow’s fight is Frampton’s third under new promoter Frank Warren and new trainer Jamie Moore.

The Northern Irishman said: “He (Jackson) said that I’m overlooking him but I haven’t been. I haven’t been this whole camp, it hasn’t just changed this last two weeks.

“When people talk about me overlooking him, and talk about Warrington and Valdez – I don’t start talking about them, I get asked about them.

“They’re the fights that I want, but Luke Jackson is the only one who’s been on my mind this whole training camp.

“From start to finish, without being disrespectful to Luke, this is about more than Luke Jackson. This is me and Windsor Park and something I’ve wanted for a very, very long time.

“When you start bringing big numbers (of supporters) to Vegas and New York, then you start to think about Windsor. For the last five years it’s been a dream of mine, and now we’re doing it.

“I feel in the shape of my life because, mentally, I’m so happy with boxing this last year.

“Everything’s flipped for me. I was winning fights and beating big names but I wasn’t enjoying it. Now I’m enjoying it, and you’re going to see bigger performances.”

The little-known Jackson has won each of his 16 professional fights but remains a significant underdog, and he said: “If he (Frampton) loses to me his career’s pretty much over.”