Carl Frampton has heaped praise on his April 21st opponent. ‘The Jackal’ will lock horns with ‘The Filipino Flash’ at The SSE Arena in Belfast in a hotly anticipated clash.
Frampton shared he believes the Filipino four-weight world champion is the most significant fighter to ever travel to Belfast for a professional boxing match.
“It’s a brilliant fight – a four-weight world champion against a two-weight world champion,” said Frampton.
Excellent fight between @RealCFrampton & @filipinoflash official for April 21 in Belfast. My story: https://t.co/PBBpTzzEiX#boxing @frankwarren_tv @Knockout_Queen@ringstar
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) January 9, 2018
“Has a bigger ‘away’ fighter ever come to fight in Belfast before? I don’t think there’s been a bigger name than Nonito Donaire and he’s coming to fight a local guy in his hometown.”
“But I think both of us are in the same situation – a slip-up here and one of us might never fight for a world title again. There’s a lot on the line for both guys.”
“In terms of the size of a fight, it’s not for a world title but the winner of this fight will no doubt get a world-title shot,” said Frampton.
10 minute warning! @RealCFrampton v @filipinoflash tickets on sale very shortly!!! pic.twitter.com/noWZDVvPSq
— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) January 11, 2018
“On the world stage, I think this is a bigger fight than Lee Selby against Josh Warrington, which is a world-title fight, so it’s huge,” continued the Belfast native.
whose reign as unified WBA & IBF world super-bantamweight champion in 2016 coincided with Donaire’s second spell as the WBO 122lb title holder before both men later claimed world featherweight belts.
“He’s been at the top of four divisions, but he was in the same weight division as me for quite a while and he’s someone I’ve always kept an eye on,” said Frampton.
“He’s someone I admire as well and I think he’s a great fighter, but I think this is the perfect fight to get me ready for a world-title fight in the summer.”
"A win will lead to another shot at world glory." 🥇
Frank Warren is excited for another big night for Carl Frampton in Belfast… pic.twitter.com/K0I0FCrtHv
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) January 9, 2018
“This is exactly the type of fight I live for — going in against one of the best in the world in the lion’s den of his hometown of Belfast,” said Donaire.
“I can’t wait for the first bell! I know I’ll have to be the best I can be on fight night. Make no mistake, I’m already training like never before,” Frampton concluded.