By Paddy Appleton

IF he didn’t know so already, Carl Frampton is in for the toughest test of his career on Saturday night, according to his opponent.

Raul Hirales squares off against The Jackal on the undercard of Carl Froch’s world title challenge against Lucien Bute in Nottingham, and the Mexican super-bantamweight sent out a warning to the Belfast fighter.

The undefeated Hirales told Boxing News: “Well let’s just hope it’s a great fight, I’m sure that the people there don’t know much about me, but believe me, I am preparing 100 per cent for this bout and I’ll give the fight of my life, I’m going to leave it all in the ring.”

Such words won’t entirely affect Frampton’s preparations as talking the talk is as much a part of the game as walking the walk, but it is clear Hirales will pose a tough proposition.

The fight, for the IBF Inter-continental title, has many commentators on this side of the Atlantic pencilling in Frampton as favourite but Hirales is unperturbed by the tag.

“Knowing that people think my rival is better than me really gives me an extra push and to prove to them that I’m going to win.

“It’s a big opportunity, something I’ve wanted for a while. There is a belt on the line as well and I intend to win and defend it and then hopefully look for a world title after,” said the confident 28 year old.

Hirales has been training well for the fight and being underdog is something he sees as an advantage, something that he can use to good effect to gain an important win over Frampton.

“Training has been very good, I was already training a bit before they even told me about this fight so when they informed me that it was made, I just stepped it up and I’m feeling good.

“It motivates me when things are against me. It’s just an added incentive knowing that people think I’m the underdog, it motivates me.”

Hirales also spoke of the volatility of the division and he regards it as one of the toughest in boxing at the moment, something which bodes well for the sport.

“It’s one of the hardest divisions at the moment, there are some high quality fighters such as Nonito Donaire, he’s an excellent fighter.

“There’s also Wilfredo Vazquez Jr, my compatriots [Jorge] “Travieso” Arce, [Fernando] “Cochulito”Montiel, the Japanese guy [Toshiaki] Nishioka and of course [Guillermo] Rigondeaux. It’s one of the most competitive divisions and Abner Mares recently stepped up to this weight.”

Hirales and Frampton should provide an excellent spectacle and a tough fight for one another on Saturday night, but both know that the division has plenty more where that came from as their respective careers’ progress.

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