"I'm in my prime"- Frampton gears up for historic night at Windsor

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(L-R) NI football legend & Linfield Manager David Healy, Carl Frampton, Tyson Fury, Luke Jackson, Promoter Frank Warren, Paddy Barnes

By Simon Hunter

"I've wanted this for a very long time" 

Saturday 18th August 2018.

Windsor Park, Belfast.

It's been described as the biggest ever boxing event to be held in Northern Ireland.

Carl Frampton headlines the bill in an historic fightnight, including two world title bouts involving "Ireland's best."

'The Jackal' goes head to head with Australian Luke Jackson, in the WBO Interim Featherweight World Championship.

The Tigers Bay fighter has previously indicated he'd like to take on Josh Warrington in a title showdown this year, and is feeling in "the prime" of his life, having never felt happier as a performer, he says.

It's expected his wish would be realised, to have a go at Warrington's IBF featherweight title, if he beats the Australian.

Also keen for a trilogy with Leo Santa Cruz, he says he'd like another go at the Mexican, but that his opponent appears less interested at this stage.

In the early buildup to the Frampton-Jackson fight, there had been questions over whether the local man was fully focused on it.

He's since made clear that should never have been in doubt.

Three-time Olympian Paddy Barnes, meanwhile, takes on Nicaraguan Cristofer Rosales, for the WBC World Flyweight title.

He's made no secret about how much he wants it.

Making reference to his opponent's technique, Barnes told Q Radio News he feels theirs could be the fight of the night.

Also in the lineup, is heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury, who'll go up against Francesco Pianeta in a 10-round battle.

The National Stadium, the scene of many great moments in Northern Ireland football, is the venue, with 25,000 boxing fans expected on the night.

Frampton's spoken of having great memories at the ground, watching his heroes go up against world stars like Patrick Vieira or Lilian Thuram of France in his childhood.

It's the Belfast boxer's first bout since April, when he beat Nonito Donaire at the SSE Arena in his hometown.

He said he was in good shape and form back then, but he says now he's in even better nick.

Time and place to watch it

All of the fights on the bill will be shown on BT Sport 1 HD, with a live stream on btsport.com.

Coverage starts at 7:45pm, but the Frampton-Jackson showdown is expected to start at around 10pm.

Q Radio News will keep you updated through the evening on our twitter @qnewsdesk!

 

 

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