Carl Frampton hits back following Luke Jackson’s amateur comments
Carl Frampton is embroiled in an online clash with Windsor rival Luke Jackson after the Australian teased him over their amateur achievements.
Frampton [25(14)-0] defends his interim WBO featherweight belt against the unheralded Jackson [16(7)-0] at the Belfast football stadium on Saturday August 18th – the biggest show ever in a city promoter Frank Warren has called “the boxing capital of Europe”.
33-year-old Jackson was a five-time national captained Australia at the 2012 London Olympics, won two golds and a silver at the Oceania Championships, competed twice in the World Amateur Championships, and won a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
He said that “I’ve fought some very good guys as an amateur and I’ll be the first to say that as a professional I haven’t fought the guys Carl Frampton has fought.”
“Carl Frampton hasn’t done what I did as an amateur. He never represented his country at the Olympic Games.”
Frampton – who had a distinguished amateur career – hit back at the Down Under fighter on Twitter.
I’m lucky it’s not amateur boxing then 😴 https://t.co/wlyhYnLAI3
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) July 16, 2018
Frampton compiled a 114-11 record in the amateur vest, arguably enjoying a superior career to Hobart’s Jackson who picked up the sport late.
The Belfast fighter won two Irish Senior titles during his amateur days as well as a European Union silver medal, a Commonwealth Youth bronze, and a European Schoolboys silver.
‘The Jackal’ has also previously lamented that he was not afforded a box-off with Davey Oliver Joyce during the Beijing Olympic qualifying process.
The two-weight world champion also noted the comparatively easier qualifying route for Oceania fighters.
Also, representing Australia in the Olympics is the equivalent of me having to be Co Antrim champion then beat the Isle of man in a qualifier https://t.co/wlyhYnLAI3
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) July 16, 2018
Some would suggest that picking apart Jackson’s amateur pedigree is an unwise move considering that it is arguably the only redeeming feature for a much-criticised opponent who has never fought anywhere near world level in the professional ranks.
However, the comments do inject an added bit of spice to the build-up to the Windsor Park fight.
Tasmanian Jackson has been in training for two weeks under Billy Hussein in Sydney and says he will leave no stone unturned before moving to Dubai for the next stage of his camp.
Jackson also questioned the validity of Frampton’s most recent victory – a dominant points win over four-weight champ Nonito Donaire in April.
The outspoken Aussie said that “I respect Carl and I watched his fights against Leo Santa Cruz. In the second fight he fought the wrong fight. He was trying too hard and it didn’t work.
“I watched a few rounds of the Donaire fight and is he is a good fighter, but he is finished. He is not the Donaire he once was.”
“Nicholas Walters knocked out Donaire and I beat him in the amateurs. I am not saying I could beat Donaire, but you understand what I mean.”
“I’ve been in there with fighters these guys have been in with. Amateur or professional it’s all hit and not get hit,” added the fighter who is friendly with the likes of Paddy Barnes and Mick Conlan from their amateur days.
