Donaire goes to war with ‘The Jackal’ not the ‘Jackal Army’

The hard hitting 35-year-old certainly won’t play the panto villain like some who have come before him, as he seems to have developed a rapour with Irish fight fans and certainly respects the boxing spirit of Belfast.

“Besides it being cold when we visited – snowing to be exact – the people were quite the opposite! They were very warm and welcoming, yet still loyal to Frampton,” he added.

“Fans and reporters alike were all very respectful and friendly. My wife and I were very much surprised.

“I knew Belfast as a city was into boxing, but I didn’t really know how much until I arrived. The majority of people knew about the fight and were excited. Almost everyone I met on the street was connected to boxing in some way.”

Donaire insists the Jackal has always been on his radar, as has Frampton’s former opponent Leo Santa Cruz.

The two time Knockout of the Year winner blames poor timing for the bout not happening sooner and credits social media as the matchmaker.

“Twitter was very important. Before, to reach another fighter you’d have to figure out a way to get their phone number and usually you’d only get the manager so you’d never know how the fighter really feels about the fight.

“This is a gentlemen’s match. Listen, we are both mature enough to know there isn’t any grudges or [a need to] fake hatred just to sell a fight. We both know that the skill level and experience in this fight is more than enough to sell the fight.”