JOSH WARRINGTON BELIEVES Carl Frampton might just be underestimating the size of the task ahead in attempting to prize him from his IBF world featherweight title at the Manchester Arena on December 22.
Frampton, a two-weight world champion himself, publicly declared his prediction that he felt Lee Selby was a shoe-in to retain his belt before he took on mandatory challenger Warrington at Elland Road in May.
The Belfast man made no secret of the fact he expected to be facing Selby in his attempt to add another world title belt to his collection.
Warrington spectacularly upset the odds in Leeds and again finds himself ranked second in the betting ahead of his first title defence that will be shown live on BT Sport Box Office.
The 27-year-old is aiming to ensure that history repeats itself and he confounds the odds against an opponent who might just consider the spoils are there for the taking.
“Possibly he does,” the 27-0 champion told BT Sport. “In his head he thought he would be fighting Selby in his next fight and he never thought he would be fighting me. I think that kind of makes me a bit of a wildcard because nobody expected me to bring that performance – so what am I going to bring against Carl?
“He will still have a few questions. He doesn’t know how good I am, no-one does. Obviously it is in my head what I am capable of doing and I think being tested against these boys is when I show what I can do.
“Up until then I was always just going about business and beat who was put in front of me. Now it is to show what I am really capable of.
“In my head I have got nothing to lose because I am still written off. Once again the bookies have got him as favourite and I am the champion.
“He is a massive favourite and that just gives me a greater desire and more fire in the belly.”
IBF world featherweight champion Josh Warrington takes on former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd live on BT Sport Box Office. JJ Metcalf will defend his WBC International super-welterweight title against Liam Williams in support of the main event, while Mark Heffron will challenge for the British middleweight title.
Belfast’s blue chip featherweight prospect Michael Conlan (9-0) also features on the bill along with world flyweight title challenger Paddy Barnes (5-1) and unbeaten Light Heavyweight contender Steven Ward (9-0).
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Josh Warrington will defend his IBF World Featherweight title against Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena on 22nd December, live on BT Sport Box Office.
Warrington (27-0) became Leeds first ever world champion when he upset the odds and defeated Lee Selby at Elland Road back in May.
The undefeated 27-year-old will now be involved in yet another huge domestic clash this year when he faces the current interim WBO World Featherweight champion, Frampton (26-1) subject to IBF sanctioning.
“The Frampton fight really appeals to me and it will be another big scalp for me.” said the IBF Featherweight champion.
“I went over to Windsor Park to watch Carl fight a few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have gone over there if I wasn’t interested in the fight. There was easier routes I could have taken like having a voluntary. Frampton and Selby in the same year would be a massive achievement.
“It’s about keeping the momentum going and I just believe I can beat Carl. I am just as confident in beating Carl as I was beating Lee [Selby]. These are fights that the British public want to see, I’m a world champion and when you are world champion you want to fight the best and Carl is a name who is up there.”
The fight will take place in neutral territory when both sets of boxing fans make the trip to Manchester on 22nd December. Both fighters have proved in recent times that they are two of the best supported boxers in Britain. Over 20,000 Warrington fans filled up Leeds United’s Elland Road in May whilst Frampton sold out Northern Ireland’s national stadium, Windsor Park in August.
“Me and Warrington have big fan bases that make a lot of noise, so I think first and foremost the atmosphere is going to be fantastic and possibly a bit hostile as well.” said Frampton.
‘The Jackal’ will have the opportunity to become world champion once again, when he faces Warrington. The Belfast man has been without a world title since his narrow points defeat to Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas in January 2017. If victorious, it will be Frampton’s fourth world title in two weight divisions in which has been already a very successful boxing career.
“I’ve done a lot more in my career than I thought I would have when I turned professional. I’m very proud of my career but I believe I still have more to give and want to keep going as long as I can. I will add my fourth world title and go on and unify again.
“You’re going to see two hungry guys in their prime, Warrington has just won this world title and isn’t going to give it up easily. I know what it’s like to be a world champion and I want that feeling back again, I think there is going to be fireworks in this fight.”
Tickets are priced at £50 Upper Tier, £80 Tier, £100 Tier, £150 Tier, £200 Floor/Tier, £300 Floor, £400 Floor, £600 Inner Ring VIP Hospitality and are available.
Tickets available via Eventim.