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NOT OUT – Carl Frampton believes he can be a World Champion again


Carl Frampton is ready to postpone his retirement in search of a fourth world title.

32 next month, the Belfast featherweight feels he still has what it takes to win top honours in the sport and has all but confirmed that he will fight on.

Former unified IBF-WBA super bantam and WBA featherweight champ Frampton met with promoter Frank Warren yesterday regarding his future and now looks set to fight on.

The Irishman’s future was in doubt following his upset defeat to IBF champion Josh Warrington last month and he himself admits that the defeat saw him essentially retire. However, Frampton’s outlook and opinions have since changed and ‘The Jackal’ could be back in the ring this summer depending on what offers and opportunities come his way.

Frampton [26(15)-2(0)] explained how “I was speaking to Frank, I had a nice chat with Frank over a cup of Rosy Lee. It was good, it was interesting, and we’ve got options and I think that more will open up in the next few weeks.”

“But – I still haven’t made a final decision as to what I’m going to do with my career, if I’m going to continue on, if I’m going to fight again.”

“What it’ll come down to is what offers get put in front of me. It needs to be a big fight, it needs to be the right fight. I don’t want to be in a situation where I have to have three or five fights to get a world title shot again.”

“I want to be one fight and then straight into a big one or straight into a big one.

Despite despair in the immediate aftermath, the Warrington defeat has since been put down to underperformance, underestimation, and an unfortunate injury suffered in the opening round.

Describing his last few weeks, Frampton noted how “I’m okay. I heal pretty quick, which is strange. I get marked up in fights that aren’t even that bad and I heal pretty quickly.”

“The swelling and stuff was away by the time I got out to Dubai on the 29h of December.”

“In the changing room, initially, after the fight, I did a few interviews – I didn’t say I was retired but, in my head, after that defeat, I felt like a retired boxer.”

“I’ve changed my mind now, I like feel there are still things to prove. I wouldn’t want to finish on a fight like that and go out that way

The Tiger’s Bay hero is convinced that he still has what it takes at world level and outlined how “I’m a fighter. It’s all I know, really. I want to fight again.”

“I still believe I can win a world title, I genuinely believe that. I wouldn’t be fighting if I didn’t believe it. Some people might say I’m delusional or whatever but I genuinely believe I have what it takes to win a world title.”

In terms of Frampton’s options, he has said that rematches with either Warrington or WBA champ Leo Santa Cruz are the bouts which appeal to him most.

Warrington has stated that his intention is to move on, while Santa Cruz also does not seem keen – although the Premier Boxing Champions bigwigs are open to the possibility.

Coming to prominence in recent days has been WBO king Oscar Valdez – with the Mexican’s promoter, Bob Arum, stating that he wants his man to defend against Frampton during the summer and, considering the strong links between the two teams, this could be the next step.

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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