I want to be remembered as a great
CARL AIMS TO STAY IN FRAME
CARL FRAMPTON hopes proud dads will want their sons to pose alongside him when he’s old and grey.
The former two-weight world champion can take a major step towards another championship fight if he beats Nonito Donaire tonight in Belfast.
But it will not be easy against one of the top fighters of this era who has won world titles in four weight divisions.
Frampton, 31, can remember his dad Craig coaxing him to have his picture taken with 1950s Irish legend and Olympic bronze medallist Freddie Gilroy when he was a kid. And he hopes one day he will be in Gilroy’s position.
“Legacy, family security, there are so many motivational factors here for me,” said Frampton, whose January 2017 defeat by Leo Santa Cruz remains his only loss in 25 fights. “Legacy to me is to be remembered as a great fighter.
“I don’t want to be forgotten in 10 years or whatever. I want to be able to go into a pub in 30 years’ time and be remembered.
Reign
“I remember meeting Freddie Gilroy as a kid. He was a great fighter from back home.
“I didn’t know who he was, but my dad made me get a photograph with him because he was Freddie Gilroy, the champion.
“I would love that myself to be remembered as a great fighter and I could be in the position Freddie Gilroy was when some dad puts his son on my lap for a photograph. That would make me proud.”
Frampton’s stock would rise if he can reign as a world champion again, a title he lost when Santa Cruz took the WBA featherweight crown from him last year.
Tonight’s clash at a sold out SSE Arena in Belfast is also for the interim WBO title which will give him a shot at champion Oscar Valdez.
Valdez is currently recovering from a broken jaw he suffered in his win over Scott Quigg last month.
There is also the possibility of facing the winner of IBF champion Lee Selby against Josh Warrington at Windsor Park this summer.
Frampton added: “There are so many driving forces for me, becoming a world champion again and taking away the word ‘former’ and calling myself world champion again is a huge thing for me.”