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‘People think you’re done’ – Carl Frampton plans to give doubters the fingers

Carl Frampton [26(15)-2(0)] is looking forward to giving his doubters the finger when he becomes a world champion again later in the year.

‘The Jackal’ is regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest ever fighters, remains a massive draw, and is just one win away from a WBO featherweight world title fight.

However, the fighter revealed he still has those questioning his capabilities after he suffered defeat to Josh Warrington last December.

The former two-weight world champion has fans in the world of social media recommending he retire and advising him his best years are behind him.

The Jamie Moore-trained fighter doesn’t allow the criticism affect his confidence, but does admit he looks forward to the day when he can say ‘I told you so’.

“People think your done, your over the hill, got beaten by Warrington, you’re on the scrap heap, you’re shit. It’s over hang them up,” Frampton said on his Joe.ie TKO Podcast.

“You get it all the time on social media, but it doesn’t matter I believe I can do it. No one’s opinion matters as long as I go out and do it. But I want to prove people wrong. I want to go out and stick my fingers up and say ‘I told you’. I know I can do it I genuinely know I can do it. I don’t think I’d be continuing on if I didn’t believe I could win a world title.”

Frampton also felt people doubted him after he lost Santa Cruz rematch
Frampton also felt people doubted him after he lost Santa Cruz rematch

Frampton looks set to return in August on a Top Rank card in Boston. Victory in that clash will set up a pre-Christmas world title fight with WBO Oscar Valdez been mooted as the most likely opponent.

It’s a quick route back to the top for the Belfast fighter, but he believes he has done enough in his career to have earned quick passage back to the top.

“Without blowing smoke I feel like I deserve it. I have been a unified champion. I have moved up a weight and won a title in a second division against a future Hall of Famer [Leo Santa Cruz]. I have beaten another future Hall of Famer in Nonito Donaire, who has had this amazing comeback.”

“I deserve it and that’s the bottom line. I know I lost to Josh Warrington- I got it wrong on the night. There’s lesser guys that get world title shots than me that don’t maybe deserve it. I absouletly in my heart of hearts feel I deserve a world title shot.”

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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