Carl Frampton: I’m in my prime and about to deliver big performances

Carl ON Saturday night Carl Frampton defends his ‘interim’ WBO featherweight title against Australian Luke Jackson at Belfast’s Windsor Park live on BT Sport from 7.45pm.

Frampton’s great friend Paddy Barnes challenges WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales on the biggest show ever held in Belfast and reckons his clash will steal the show in front of 25,000 fans.

Here are a selection of quotes from today’s final press conference.

FRANK WARREN (Promoter)

“It is going to be a fantastic occasion. We have Ireland’s best in action.

“Carl is a tremendous professional, fantastic to work with and the reason we are here. He knows what is at stake and wants to put himself in line for a full world title fight.

“He is not fazed and just wants the best. He wanted to fight at Windsor Park and we have delivered.

“After this he will be in a major, major fight which fans will love, but Jackson is here to win and upsets happen. This is Carl’s dream and I don’t want it turning into a nightmare.

“Paddy is really stepping up to the plate after five professional fights and if gameness wins world titles he wins this weekend.

“I am looking for history being made and I believe Paddy can do it in his sixth fight.”

CARL FRAMPTON

“It has been a dream to box at Windsor Park and is about to become a reality. To have friends on the bill like Paddy Barnes, Conrad Cummings and Steven Ward makes it more special.

“I have seen a few things Luke has said, but from start to finish I have trained very hard and it’s about more than Luke. It’s Windsor Park.

“The last year everything has flipped. I’m in my prime and about to deliver big performances. In the past I was getting big wins, but I wasn’t a happy fighter.

“I know a fair bit about Luke and he is highly ranked for a reason. He is a good fighter, but I am at another level.

“It will also mean the world to me for Paddy to win a world title on this bill and I think his fight will steal the show.

“He is always the joker, but he is serious this time and if I had my last pound I would back him.”

JAMIE MOORE (Frampton’s trainer)

“Carl is a consummate professional. We wanted one of the top two or three guys in the world, but it wasn’t possible. Windsor Park is the dream he has always wanted though.

“I understand why Luke’s camp say Carl has overlooked him, but that is to give them confidence. Statistics have shown he is 10 per-cent fitter than the Donaire fight.

“I think Carl is in his prime. Boxing isn’t about fitness and technique but also mental. It is about getting everything right.

“Carl is still improving and that is scary. He does things you cannot teach.”

LUKE JACKSON

“I thought Carl was overlooking me but he knows what is at stake. If Carl loses to me his career is over. I have got to fight the perfect fight and I believe I can do it.

“It’s a real life Rocky story if I win. I have come from nothing. I have gone through a lot to get here and if I spoke about that I’d be here all day.

“My father has left Australia for the first time ever to be here and it makes me so proud. A 67-year-old man has travelled halfway around the world for me.

“I have tried to prepare mentally for all the things that can happen and we have to see if it works.”

BILLY HUSSEIN (Jackson’s trainer)

“Luke is an ultimate professional and I have had to slow him down. I believe Carl is overlooking us and thinking of the Warrington fight.”

CRISTOFER ROSALES

“I am used to fighting away and I have no bother fighting in front of this big crowd. I know enough to realise I am going to win on Saturday.

“I don’t want Paddy to go running like a chicken. I will let him dictate and then I will catch him.”

PADDY BARNES

“It is going to be a great fight. Cristofer is relentless and it’s going to be fight of the night.

“To become a world champion especially in my home city will be the best thing ever. If I dictate the pace, I can control the distance and will win.”

DANNY VAUGHAN (Barnes trainer)

“The camp has been unbelievable and Paddy has given his heart and soul in camp and we just can’t wait.

“We have been to spar with Kal Yafai who beat Rosales and that was fantastic.”

Also on the bill Tyson Fury fights Francesco Pianeta and WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will be ringside. A big win and Fury could face Wilder later this year.

There is a star studded undercard and just a handful of tickets remain from www.ticketmaster.ie.