Q Radio Sport
Belfast boxer Carl Frampton says he's ready for the fight of his life this weekend as he takes on Filipino, Nonito Donaire.
The Jackal is looking to close in on his hopes of a new world title after a defeat by Leo Santa Cruz in January of 2017.
Donaire, 35, has a professional record of 38-4 and insists he has the physical and mental edge on his opponent.
The former four-weight world champion takes to the ring at the SSE Arena as the underdog, but Frampton insists he shouldn't be counted out.
He said: "I have a load of respect for Donaire. He's a quality fighter and in terms of accolades, he's accomplished more than anyone I've ever faught. He's a future hall of famer. Hopefully, I can put myself in that bracket where people will talk about me as a future hall of famer one day.
"He is the best fighter that I will have ever faught and that includes Santa Cruz and Quigg and all of them."
Respect between the two fighters is mutual with Donaire joking that he feels like he and his wife are married to Carl Frampton.
At a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday he said: "My wife and I feel like we're married to Carl because I wake up and we see Carl. We sleep and we see Carl. Everything, We see him."
.@RealCFrampton trainer @JamieMoore777 says they’ve been working hard on some new training methods and techniques in preparing for #FramptonDonaire @SSEBelfastArena on Saturday pic.twitter.com/fBviRiGZEz
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) April 18, 2018
Nonito Donaire said: "Carl's an amazing fighter, and to see how intense he is I've got to give it to him. Even for taking this fight, for a long time in Boxing I was the 'boogey man' in Boxing. He has chosen this fight because it inspires him, and I've accepted this fight because he inspires me."
35-year-old, Frampton says he wants to line up a clash at Windsor Park if he can overcome this latest challenge. The winner of the Lee Selby v Josh Warrington fight has been rumoured as a potential next opponent.
The fight will take place in Belfast's SSE Arena on Saturday April 21st and will be shown on BT Sport and BOX NATION.
A number of high profile stars will be on the under-card bouts which start at 7.30pm.
Four Irish fighters including two fellow Belfast men will be involved including Lewis Crocker, David Oliver Joyce, Tyrone McCullagh and Steven Ward.
They're joined by English fighters Troy Williamson, Sam Maxwell and Alex Dickinson.
.@RealCFrampton- “it will be big for me to get the result on Saturday night” against a man he has “a load of respect for” in #FramptonDonaire @SSEBelfastArena pic.twitter.com/cVkxGqhXHM
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) April 18, 2018