Jamie Moore has been placed in the awkward position of having to ban the landlord of his gym from entering the premises until the big business of the December 22 blockbuster between Josh Warrington and Carl Frampton is completed.

Moore, the trainer of Frampton, conducts his training sessions in a gym owned by Steve Wood situated on the site of Wood’s VIP company. The Salford-based businessman also happens to be the manager of Josh Warrington, who defends his IBF world featherweight title at the Manchester Arena, live on BT Sport Box Office.

Wood is known to pop down from his office to take in a bit of sparring during his downtime but, with the obvious conflict of interest, Moore has had to take a stand and impose a suspension.

“I have had to ban Steve Wood out of his own gym for this fight because he’s not allowed to come and watch the sparring,” reported Moore, whose career was also managed by Wood. “He’s right next door, but for the next three months he’s got to ring me first to make sure the coast is clear.”

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). Merseyside will be represented as Liverpool’s 9-0 Welterweight prospect Sam Maxwell returns to action on the show along with Formby’s 6-0 Heavyweight Alex Dickinson. Derbyshire’s highly touted Cruiserweight Jack ‘One Smack’ Massey will also feature.

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.

The Belfast side of the blockbuster Manchester Arena show headlined by the IBF world featherweight title showdown between Josh Warrington and Carl Frampton has been strengthened by the addition of unbeaten fellow featherweight star Michael Conlan to the bill.

The blue-chip prospect and former world amateur champion will have his tenth professional fight in Manchester, live and exclusive on BT Sport Box Office in the UK.

Conlan said: “I am really excited to be fighting on the same card as my stablemate and friend, Carl Frampton. I am looking to step up in class and reach 10-0 as a pro by Christmas. The Conlan Revolution rolls into Manchester!”

In his hugely successful amateur career, Conlan was ranked No.1 in the AIBA world rankings at bantamweight with a medal haul that included an Olympic bronze medal (London 2012), Commonwealth Games gold (Glasgow 2014), European Championships gold (Samokov, Bulgaria 2015) and a World Championships gold (Doha 2015). He achieved superstar status in his homeland as one of Ireland’s most decorated amateur fighters of all time.

Since turning professional in the wake of a controversial exit from the 2016 Rio Olympics, Conlan has clocked up nine straight wins, with six of them coming inside the distance.

The 26-year-old made his debut as the headliner at the Madison Square Garden Theater where, after being walked to the ring by Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor, he outclassed Tim Ibarra to get his pro journey underway.

He has since boxed in Chicago, Brisbane, Tucson and a further two times at the MSG Theater, before getting to perform in the main arena at the Garden against Ibon Larrinaga in May.

The following month he enjoyed a homecoming fight and a significant step up in class against Adeilson Dos Santos at the SSE Arena in Belfast, where he was victorious over the eight-round distance. Just last Saturday, at the Park Theater in Las Vegas, Conlan stopped the normally durable Nicola Cipolletta in the seventh round.

Also joining the Belfast side of the December 22nd Manchester Arena blockbuster will be Olympic hero Paddy Barnes (5-1) and unbeaten Light Heavyweight contender Steven Ward (9-0). Merseyside will be represented as Liverpool’s 9-0 Welterweight prospect Sam Maxwell returns to action on the show along with Formby’s 6-0 Heavyweight Alex Dickinson. Derbyshire’s highly touted Cruiserweight Jack ‘One Smack’ Massey will also feature.

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.

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.

JJ Metcalf will defend his WBC International super-welterweight title against Liam Williams when they clash on December 22nd at the Manchester Arena on the undercard of Josh Warrington’s world title defence against Carl Frampton.

The two super-welterweights have made no secret of their dislike towards one another as they continue to exchange verbal punches on social media.

“It’s started off as a bit of banter but then the more we knew the fight was going to happen, the joking around had stopped and things just turned over night, it’s got to a point where I genuinely just want to punch his face in” said Welshman Williams.

Williams has strung together a couple of stoppage victories since his two defeats to former WBO world super-welterweight champion Liam Smith and says he is now ready to be back involved in the big fights.

“I’m really happy the fight has been made. I love being involved in competitive fights and you won’t find a better stage to be in a good fight.

“JJ [Metcalf] reminds me of when I fought Ronnie Heffron. He was supposed to be this serious pressure fighter, a lot of people raving about him and I made him retire sitting on his stool after six rounds and I think it’s going to be a similar story with JJ.”

‘Kid Shamrock’ JJ Metcalf has been in fantastic form and has been able to maintain his undefeated status with a string of good performances; most recently in June when he defeated the tough and experienced Spaniard, Aitor Nieto, stopping him in the twelfth round of their WBC International title fight.

The Liverpudlian is undefeated in eighteen fights with ten of them coming by way of knockout and is going into this contest full of confidence.

“I can’t wait for this fight. He seems to be a guy [Williams] that easily gets wound up and he’s ended up being very disrespectful towards me on social media.

“He was in with a great fighter like Liam Smith and he showed everyone he wasn’t good enough to beat him and it’s going to be the same story come December 22nd, he isn’t going to be good enough to beat me either.”

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.

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 and Ticketmaster .

The Josh Warrington v Carl Frampton media tour reached its conclusion today in Belfast ahead of the blockbuster battle that will take place at the Manchester Arena on December 22 – live and exclusive on BT Box Office – with Warrington’s IBF world featherweight title on the line.

Below is a selection of quotes from today’s meeting of the two combatants at the Clayton Hotel.

Carl Frampton

Like I have said for the last three days now, I think it is going to be a very good fight, a very exciting fight.

It is one I am looking forward to and, although I am harping on a wee bit, a year ago I was being written off – I was done, I was over the hill – but then my last two performances have been two of my better performances of my whole career.

I believe the time is right now to win back a world title and go from there. It is something I will be working seriously hard for and I know Josh well enough and I don’t believe there is an ounce of quit in him.

That is what is going to make it exciting.

I always talk about the support that I have and how grateful I am for it. I believe I am one of the most well supported fighters in world boxing and I am a featherweight, whereas it is normally the heavier weights that get the support.

Josh has got a terrific fanbase as well and, although it is Christmas and the budgets will be tight, I really hope that people will come out and support the fight and I will send them home very, very happy for Christmas.

You take one fight at a time and the next opponent is always the most important guy. Obviously it is important to keep an eye on the future, but if this fight is as hard and exciting as it can be then people will be crying out for another one – and then another one after that. You never know what will happen.

I just believe I am in the best shape of my life right now and, the same as Josh, I believe I am in my prime years.

I want so much to win another world title and I will be sticking the fingers up to the people who thought I was done. That is the reason why I am doing this.

Josh Warrington

There have been no comments about my suit so far so I am pleased with that! Listen, I am looking forward to what is going to be a tremendous fight and potentially the fight of the year.

It is one of those fights that don’t come around that often. You see fights that get built up then don’t deliver, but this one has got all the ingredients to be one that will be talked about for a long time.

I have said over the last couple of days that I have been keeping an eye on Carl over the last few years and I have watched his career as a fan. When he moved to featherweight I watched him as a potential opponent.

Carl says he is in the best shape of his life, while I feel I am just reaching my peak years. I had a great win over Lee Selby back in May and as soon as I got back to the dressing room I thought ‘who’s next?’.

I can’t wait for the night and you guys will be in for a real treat, that is for sure.

I always think boxing is about timing and I have never said I thought Carl was done. You can only fight who is put in front of you so I am under no illusions and won’t be going in there thinking it is only a 75 per cent Carl or he is not the same Carl as when he boxed Quigg or Santa Cruz.

I will be preparing for the very best Carl Frampton, like I do with all my opponents. I’ve worked hard to win this title and I don’t plan on giving it up any time soon.

I am fighting someone in Carl who was rated pound-for-pound and recognised by Ring magazine, so I know he has got some really good credentials behind him. I know that I will need to be at my best but I am in a very good place at the minute.

My confidence is through the roof, I am loving the sport and I can’t wait for this fight, I really can’t.

Tickets are now on sale for this blockbuster event at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd and are are available to purchase via Ticketmaster and Eventim.

IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington and his challenger Carl Frampton faced off on the second leg of their press tour.

They meet in a stunning match at the Manchester Arena on Saturday December 22, live and exclusive on BT Sport Box Office.

Warrington’s home city Leeds hosted today’s event with the Carriageworks packed with his fans.

Former two-weight world champion Frampton has home advantage at the final press conference in Belfast tomorrow.

Here are a selection of quotes from today’s presser.

JOSH WARRINGTON

There could be easier fights, but I want the best in the division.

It is going to be deafening in Manchester and we have the Fight of the Year.

It is two fighters having it out, but I will still be world champion at the end of the year.

I won the English and Commonwealth title on the road and going to Manchester where its neutral is no bother. I think the support will be even.

Champion of the world has a lovely sound, but it’s just a title and I believe I can strive for more.

I watched Carl and I see things I can exploit and do things on the night to beat him.

We will come up with three or four game plans and I will adapt.

When the first bell goes respect goes out of the window and we will punch each others head in.

This fight doesn’t need animosity. If I started acting like a bell*** it would be out of character.

I did against Lee Selby because there was bad feeling between us and the teams. Things got nasty.

SEAN O’HAGAN (Warrington’s trainer and Father)

I always knew we had the beating of Lee Selby. The media made him up to be something he wasn’t.

This is a different ball game and a harder fight, but one we’re looking forward to.

When he beat Lee I just whispered, ‘Can we discuss my bonus?’ I’m still waiting so I’ll be having a tenner on Carl.

There is a lot of pay-per-view fights and this the best of the lot. It is a proper fight. Two lads who wont allow themselves to lose.

CARL FRAMPTON

If I win this fight it will mean more than any of my world title wins, because I have been written off.

I want to stick my fingers up to those who wrote me off after the Leo Santa Cruz loss.

People say I’m on slide but since teaming up with trainer Jamie Moore, promoter Frank Warren and MTK these are my prime years.

Josh thinks I’m not what I was and a lot of people think that after the Santa Cruz loss and a short camp for my fight against Horacio Garcia.

In my last two fights I’ve been as good as ever. If Josh wants to think I’m a shadow of my former self he can.

I am not daft and I know what it will be like on the night. It just going to be noise and I will use to my advantage.

Look back at interviews I was doing six years ago and I was counting the days to retirement. It was a job, but now I look forward to the gym.

I wasn’t enjoying it and still beating good fighters. That says a lot about me.

I expect this to be a tough fight and I need to be right physically and mentally.

For the Scott Quigg fight I did 220 rounds of sparring against bigger men, but Jamie has cut that in half and work on tactics and think that was a brilliant session after.

I may need the performance of my life and there isn’t an ounce of quit in either of us. It will be a case of toughening it out.

I will suss him out and work out game plans as the fight goes on.

I don’t have to hate Josh. I like him, but it is a fight and we will do whatever we can to win the fight and shake hands afterwards.

Things will be said in the build-up that will irk each other, but it happens and the only opponent I ever hated was Chris Avalos.

JAMIE MOORE (Carl Frampton’s trainer)

Carl does things that come natural like footwork and anticipation. There is a difference between elite and world class fighters. Carl is elite.

I wouldn’t want to change him in a big way because he was already phenomenal. It is more about decision making and setting tactics. This fight will come down to tactics.

I know nobody will beat Josh without being in a very tough fight, but I feel I have a very talented fighter in Carl.

Josh proved how good he was against Lee Selby and he is more than a pressure fighter. His work-rate will give anybody problems.

Tickets are now on sale for this blockbuster event at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd and are are available to purchase via Ticketmaster and Eventim.

Josh Warrington defends his IBF world featherweight title against Carl Frampton in an all-British blockbuster, live and exclusive on BT Sport Box Office on December 22 and the pair today launched a three-city promotional tour that began on Park Lane in London before Leeds and Belfast provide the next staging posts.

Below are a selection of quotes from today’s proceedings at the Grosvenor House from the fighters, along with promoter Frank Warren.

Frank Warren

You look at fights the fans want to see and wait to see and normally they don’t happen until one of the guys is past his best or on the way out.

This is a fight involving two of the best British fighters who are in the top four in the world and are certainly two of the most exciting, well supported boxers in this country. It doesn’t get any better than this.

They are at the top of their game and the two of them are fighting each other. This is a fight that anyone who has any interest in boxing or any idea about boxing – styles making fights – this is the one.

This is the fight that really does matter and it will go down as one of the best fights in recent years.

You look at the best ticket-selling fighters in this country and the top four are Anthony Joshua, Carl and Josh, then Tyson Fury. They are the biggest ticket sellers and these two guys have the most vociferous and most passionate supporters.

The atmosphere in the venue is going to be unbelievable and we have all the ingredients to make it a cauldron and a great, great event. This to me is what I am in the game for, to put on events like this.

Josh Warrington

I actually felt like I was cruising in second gear in my fight against Lee Selby, boxing to instruction.

Going into the second half of the fight I sat down on the stool and asked the old man if it was time to go up a gear, but he just wanted me to carry on doing what I was doing – making him look daft and out-boxing the boxer.

It was against all odds, especially with most people giving me no chance whatsoever. It was very satisfying and I backed up everything that I said. It was a helluva night and one that will stay with me until the day I die. Now I have got this world title I am not giving it up any time soon.

In my own head, when Carl moved up to featherweight and all my pals said he is coming for me now, I knew he had one hell of a fanbase and is one great fighter. I said yesterday in the head-to-head that I have enjoyed watching Carl over the years and I’ve almost been a bit of a fan watching him in some of his fights.

As soon as someone comes into your division you start keeping tabs on them and keeping your eye out for fights down the line.

Obviously after beating Lee there were options to have steady voluntaries, but there aren’t easy fights at world level because everybody wants to be where you are.

I treat everybody with the same mindset and I train my b*llocks off just like I do for every fight and work as hard as I can because it means that much to me, winning and going forward.

When the Carl fight came along it wetted the appetite and as a champion you want to prove yourself as the best.

I am ranked No.2 behind Carl and I believe I am No.1, simple as that really. Boxing fans want to see this and boxing is thriving in this day and age.

Some big fights aren’t happening because there are a few out there still digging in their heels, but I am a fighting man and I want to prove myself against the best.

Carl Frampton

I’ve said it and talked about it a lot that I wasn’t enjoying boxing a couple of years ago and was just counting down the days until retirement.

A change of team, since I’ve joined Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis, since I’ve teamed up with Frank and MTK, things seem to be going well for me and I’m enjoying boxing again.

That is the thing, I was winning big fights and beating good opponents when I wasn’t really enjoying it. Now I am enjoying it, I’m training well and smart, I believe that right now I am better than I’ve ever been.

Everything has made a difference and it is the people I am around. I am enjoying everything and I feel like I am training smarter now and not running myself into the ground constantly and over-training. I am doing it differently now with a much smarter approach.

I genuinely believe I am in my prime years now. I thought it was a very good performance by Josh against Selby and he did what he had to do.

He proved me wrong because I fancied Selby going into the fight like a lot of other people.

You have to look at his game-plan as well because people think he just likes to come forward and throw lots of shots. The plan his team came up with was very good, but he had to carry it out and execute it. He did that to a tee and credit to him.

I look at Selby and I knew he was really struggling with the weight and he had been for a while. I feel in that fight it caught up with him and you can tell from the fact that he is not coming back at super featherweight, but at lightweight. That tells you enough, but Josh did what he had to do.

Credit to him for taking this fight when he could have had a easier defence, but I agree there are not easy fights at world level, but he could have had an easier one. I think it is a big, big fight for British boxing and the biggest one of the year.

This will be the sweetest world title because I’ve been written off. I genuinely believe I am back at my best. I understand that Josh isn’t Donaire or Luke Jackson, this is a tougher fight and I am expecting a tougher fight.

He is full of confidence at the minute, but I believe I am a better fighter and I will prove it on the night. I feel like I have beaten better fighters than Josh already and I think that is going to be the difference.

Tickets go on sale for Warrington vs Frampton on Wednesday at 12pm. Tickets will be available to purchase via Ticketmaster and Eventim.

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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.”

More information on how to purchase tickets for Warrington v Frampton will follow soon.

CARL FRAMPTON has goaded IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington telling his arch rival that he isn’t in his league.

Warrington is set to make the first defence of his world title against Belfast’s Frampton later this year in what would be an epic encounter.

Frampton who hammered Aussie Luke Jackson earlier this month wrote in his Sunday Life column: “He (Warrington) is unbeaten and is full of confidence but I just feel — as I said going into the Jackson fight — that I am a level above Warrington.

“It has to be realised that Warrington’s best win has been against a weight-drained (Lee) Selby who has left featherweight and gone to lightweight for his return which tells you a lot.

“Warrington still couldn’t get rid of him and I would also look back to the trouble he had with Kiko Martinez who was done.”

“I would say that some people see it as a more difficult fight than maybe they first thought a year ago — including myself, mainly because of the fact he has beaten Selby so I will have to be physically and mentally at the top of my game.

“It would be a huge moment for me to become world champion again having been written off by so many people after the loss to Leo Santa Cruz and everything else I’ve been through over the past couple of years.”

Carl Frampton reatined the WBO Interim Featherweight title with a 9th round stoppage over previously undefeated Luke Jackson at Windsor Park in Dublin, Ireland.

In round two, Frampton began to bleed from his right eye. In round five, Jackson started t bleed from his nose.

In round eight, Frampton dumped Jackson with a left hook to the body. In round nine, Frampton landed another vicious body shot that was followed up by hard right that forced Jackson’s corner to throw in the towel at 1:@1.

Frampton of Dublin is now 26-1 with 15 knockouts. Jackson of Australia is 16-1.

“This was unreal,” Frampton said. “The atmosphere was special, the crowd was fantastic and they made my dream come true. It was unbelievable from start to finish.

Tyson Fury tuned up for a Fall showdown with Deontay Wilder with a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Francisco Pianeta.

The bout turned into not much more than a sparring session as Fury picked Pianeta apart from the outside, and occasionally worked om the inside by featuring an uppercut om the ropes with very little resistance from Pianeta.

Fury of Machester, England won by a 100-90 score, and is now 27-0. Pianeta is 35-5-1

“I think it was a calculated boxing performance, as promised,” said Fury, who was fighting for just the second time in nearly three years. “We were able to get 10 good rounds in with a tough man. I was working on my boxing, trying to slip and slide, use the jab and get the rounds in. I was very happy with the performance.

“It’s no secret I need the rounds. I need to prove that I can go 10 rounds and have plenty left in the tank, and I did that tonight.”

After the fight, Wilder entered the ring to announce that the two undefeated heavyweights have agreed to a 2018 showdown for Wilder’s WBC title. A date and venue for the event, which will be produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV, will be announced shortly.

“We’re ready now,” Wilder said during the post-fight interview. “This fight will happen. It’s on. This fight is official. This is what we’ve been waiting for, the best fighting the best.

“There’s one thing Tyson Fury has never had. He’s won a lot of belts but he’s never had the WBC belt. If he ever even thinks about having this belt he better wake up and apologize to me because it will never happen. I can’t wait to fight you because I am going to knock you out. This I promise you. Every man who has ever stepped in the ring with me, I’ve knocked them out in devastating fashion. You’ve never been knocked out, but you’re going to feel the experience of what it’s like to be hit by the Bronze Bomber.”

The 6-foot-9 Fury, who never lost his titles in the ring, will now face the 6-foot-7 Wilder, who has 39 knockouts in his 40 professional fights.

“We are two men who will fight anybody,” Fury said. “This man has been trying to make a big fight with the other chump, I think we all know who I’m talking about. They called, I answered. I said to send the contract, they sent me the contract. I said yes. And now he gets his chance to fight the linear heavyweight champion of the world.

“My promise is that when we go to Las Vegas, I’m knocking you out.”

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.

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CARL FRAMPTON insists Luke Jackson will regret his trash talk when they finally meet in the ring in Belfast on Saturday August 18.

The Australian (16-0) has blasted Frampton in the build up ahead of their interim WBO featherweight title clash at Windsor Park.

Jackson has claimed Frampton is past his best, looking heavy in the gym and been critical of the Belfast man’s amateur pedigree.

“He can say what he wants, but he has never boxed at the level I have boxed at,” snapped Frampton (25-1).

“We talk about levels in this game and there are different levels. I have boxed at a very high level for a long time.

“This is the first time he has mixed it at a high level and he is not going to be able to cope, especially coming to Belfast.

“I don’t read into odds, but I imagine I am a strong favourite. The bookies haven’t got it wrong because basically I want to do a number on this guy.

“He has been slightly disrespectful with the things he has said. He has tried to backtrack, but the bottom line is that he has said these things.

“He has made his bed and he has to lay in it. He is getting it – he really is.”

It will be Frampton’s third fight under trainer Jamie Moore and insists he has never been happier as a boxer.

His gym-mates include Jack Catterall, Martin Murray, new regular WBA world champ Rocky Fielding and close friends Conrad Cummings and Steven Ward who box on the Belfast bill.

He added: “The fight is very soon, but this camp has absolutely flown by. It doesn’t seem that long ago when we were in Tenerife and that was a couple of months ago.

“It’s probably something to do with how much I am enjoying my boxing right now.

“ I’m enjoying myself as a boxer and it is a good craic in the gym. There has been some great wins like Rocky and Martin recently.

“There are good quality lads in the gym. We all train hard, but nobody takes themselves too seriously away from the boxing and that is the environment I like to be in.

“We’re serious when we have to be, but there is a lot of light hearted stuff that goes on when it’s down time.

“I met these boys last yea ago, but we’re friends for life.”

Also on the BT Sport televised bill Lineal heavyweight king Tyson Fury faces a step up when he tackles two-time world title challenger Francesco Pianeta.

In only his sixth professional fight, Frampton’s great friend Paddy Barnes challenges WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales.

The bill also includes a light-heavyweight clash between Belfast’s Ward and Dubliner Steve Collins Jr. Also in action is WBO European middleweight champion Luke Keeler, Cummings, KO king Lewis Crocker, Marco McCullough, Sean McComb and Steven Donnelly.

Limited remaining tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. priced at £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality). Buying tickets over the phone – 0844 847 2455. To purchase Accessible Seating – 0333 321 9996

CARL FRAMPTON insists he will be ready for IBF world champion Josh Warrington after achieving his dream of fighting at Windsor Park.

Frampton is the star turn at Belfast’s famous football stadium when he defends his interim WBO featherweight title against Luke Jackson (16-0) on Saturday August 18.

If he comes through against the unbeaten Aussie on the card that is close to a sell-out, an opportunity to win a fourth world title will be delivered by promoter Frank Warren.

Frampton (25-1) has previously held the IBF and WBA super-bantamweight crowns and the WBA featherweight title.

Although Frampton is also eyeing WBO king Oscar Valdez who is currently sidelined by injury, English rival Warrington is also promoted by Warren and a fight that could happen in the autumn.

Frampton, 31, said: “The plan after Jackson is Oscar Valdez or Josh Warrington, which would be the easier to make because we are both promoted by Frank Warren.

“Warrington and myself is more appealing to British sports fans, but It doesn’t matter who I face.

You could flip a coin to decide whether it is Warrington or Valdez.”

Frampton’s eventual target is a rubber clash against Leo Santa Cruz who he defeated two years ago, but lost against on points in a rematch six months later.

Santa Cruz has been reluctant to face ‘The Jackal’ for the third time, but Frampton says:

“If I beat Jackson, then Warrington or Valdez I will have a title and that puts me in a stronger position, and ready to tackle Santa Cruz.

“That might make him want to come to the table, negotiate and talk about the fight again. That is the fight that appeals to me more than any other.”

Also on the BT Sport televised bill Lineal heavyweight king Tyson Fury faces a step up when he tackles two-time world title challenger Francesco Pianeta.

In only his sixth professional fight, Frampton’s great friend Paddy Barnes challenges WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales.

The bill also includes a light-heavyweight clash between Belfast’s Steven Ward and Dubliner Steve Collins Jr. Also in action is WBO European middleweight champion Luke Keeler, Conrad Cummings, KO king Lewis Crocker, Marco McCullough, Sean McComb and Steven Donnelly.

Limited remaining tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. priced at £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality). Buying tickets over the phone – 0844 847 2455. To purchase Accessible Seating – 0333 321 9996

CARL FRAMPTON will turn nasty the moment he looks across the ring and sees Luke Jackson in the opposite corner.

He gets the chance to silence Jackson (16-0) when he defends his interim WBO featherweight crown against the Australian challenger at Belfast’s Windsor Park on Saturday August 18.

Jackson has angered Frampton suggesting he’s over the hill as a boxer and claimed he looks overweight in training.

That means an exciting night for 20,000 fans and viewers watching on BT Sport, but bad news for Jackson.

Frampton (25-1) said: “He has annoyed me a little bit, but not enough to take my mind off the game and be overly aggressive.

“He has annoyed me enough to wanna flatten him and put him out cold, properly.

“I haven’t knocked anybody out in a long time, but Luke Jackson is a guy who is going to get knocked out.”

Jackson, 33, has also teased Frampton over his amateur career claiming his experience in the London 2012 Olympics and other major championships betters the Belfast man’s achievements in the unpaid code.

Frampton added: “He keeps talking about his amateur career. Who give a f**k what he did as an amateur? He isn’t Vasyl Lomachenko.

“Let’s not forget he is based in Australia. If Australia sent a ten man team to box an international against Ireland they would get beat 10-0, and that’s a fact.

“His amateur career wasn’t even that good when you look at it.

“The reason Australia can send almost a full team to the Olympics is because they box Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

“It is a lot easier qualifying process compared to what Ireland and GB have to go through for the Olympics.

“This is professional boxing and it’s almost a different sport. He will see on the night.”

Also on the BT Sport televised bill Lineal heavyweight king Tyson Fury faces a step up when he tackles two-time world title challenger Francesco Pianeta.

In only his sixth professional fight, Frampton’s great friend Paddy Barnes challenges WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales.

The bill also includes a light-heavyweight clash between Belfast’s Steven Ward and Dubliner Steve Collins Jr. Also in action is WBO European middleweight champion Luke Keeler, Conrad Cummings, KO king Lewis Crocker, Marco McCullough, Sean McComb and Steven Donnelly.

Limited remaining tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. priced at £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality). Buying tickets over the phone – 0844 847 2455. To purchase Accessible Seating – 0333 321 9996

NEW YORK – August 7, 2018 – SHOWTIME Sports will present Carl Frampton’s interim featherweight title defense and the second comeback fight of lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on Saturday, August 18 live from Belfast, Northern Ireland. SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® will stream live exclusively to U.S. audiences on the SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT with an encore presentation later that evening on SHOWTIME EXTREME (10 p.m. ET/PT).

The August 18 event will be the network’s 24th live presentation of boxing through the first eight months of 2018. It will be the sixth live streaming boxing event of the year on SHOWTIME Sports social media platforms and the third from the United Kingdom as the network continues to deliver boxing’s biggest events from around the globe.

Former two-division champion Frampton will defend his interim WBO Featherweight Title against undefeated Australian contender Luke Jackson on the pitch at Windsor Park, where an expected 30,000 fans will witness the first boxing event at the home of Northern Irish football. In the opening bout, former IBF, WBA and WBO Heavyweight World Champion Fury will square off against two-time heavyweight title challenger Francesco Pianeta in Fury’s second comeback fight after a two-and-a-half year layoff.

Live coverage for the Frank Warren-promoted event will be provided by BT Sport with U.K. sportscasters John Rawling calling the action, Barry Jones providing analysis, and Ronald McIntosh conducting post-fight interviews for Fury-Pianeta. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® host Brian Custer and Hall of Fame analyst Steve Farhood will deliver pre-and post-fight analysis from New York for the SHOWTIME Sports audience.

The 31-year-old Frampton (25-1, 14 KOs), who rolled back the years with an inspired performance to win the interim WBO belt against Nonito Donaire in April, will face the unbeaten Jackson as he looks to earn a second world title in one of boxing’s deepest divisions. With a victory, Frampton will target blockbuster showdowns with WBA World Champion Leo Santa Cruz, WBC World Champion Gary Russell Jr., and IBF World Champion Josh Warrington, all of whom have appeared on SHOWTIME platforms in 2018. The WBO’s interim champion is also in line to fight full titlist Oscar Valdez, who is recovering from surgery to repair a fractured jaw.

Jackson (16-0, 7 KOs) was the captain of the Australian boxing team at the 2012 London Olympics and has won 16 consecutive fights since turning pro in 2013. The 33-year-old is confident he can upset Frampton in front of his hometown fans and earn a title shot in the deep 126-pound division.

Fury (26-0, 19 KOs) returned to the ring in June with a victory over Sefer Seferi, an outmatched opponent who retired on his stool after four rounds. Southpaw Francesco Pianeta (35-4-1, 21 KOs) represents a significant step-up in opposition for the 29-year-old Manchester native. Prior to his nearly three-year layoff, the 6-foot-9 Fury established himself as the premier heavyweight boxer in the world by becoming the first man to defeat Wladimir Klitschko in more than 11 years—and by taking the IBF, WBA and WBO world title belts from the Ukrainian great in the process.

Pianeta (35-4-1, 21 KOs), a 6-foot-5 southpaw who fights out of Germany, has twice challenged for the heavyweight world title. Pianeta faced then-unified champion WladimirKlitschko in 2013 and lost in a bid for a secondary title against Ruslan Chagaev in 2015. A win over Fury would could put the 33-year-old Italian native back in the heavyweight title picture.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, subscribe to the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku®, Samsung and Xbox One. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, DirecTV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV, Sony PlayStation™ Vue, and YouTube TV. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

LUKE JACKSON insists that Carl Frampton is on the slide.

The outspoken Australian challenges interim WBO featherweight champion Frampton at Belfast’s Windsor Park on Saturday August 18.

At stake for Frampton is a likely fight with IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington but Jackson is out to prove that Frampton is no longer the force he was.

Jackson, 33, believes that Frampton (25-1) has dipped as a fighter in his three contests since defeating Leo Santa Cruz two years ago.

“Across the board he is phenomenal, but I don’t think he is as good as he once was,” explained Jackson.

“In the first fight against Leo Santa Cruz he boxed out of his skin and deserved to win, but he hasn’t looked the same since.

“Carl is a very good fighter who does everything good, but I don’t honestly think he does anything great.”

Jackson’s comments suggesting the Frampton is struggling will rile the Belfast man but he isn’t asking for forgiveness.

He added: “We are going to punch each other in the head. I don’t really care if what I say upsets him.

“I respect him as a fighter, I respect him as a man but I am coming to beat him, not coming over to be friends.

“I don’t know if he wants me to call him a Hall of Fame fighter or the greatest, but I don’t think he is.

“He is very beatable and I think I can beat him, simple as that.”

Also on the BT Sport televised bill Lineal heavyweight king Tyson Fury faces a step up when he tackles two-time world title challenger Francesco Pianeta.

In only his sixth professional fight, Frampton’s great friend Paddy Barnes challenges WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales.

The bill also includes a light-heavyweight clash between Belfast’s Steven Ward and Dubliner Steve Collins Jr. Also in action is WBO European middleweight champion Luke Keeler, Conrad Cummings, KO king Lewis Crocker, Marco McCullough, Sean McComb and Steven Donnelly.

Limited remaining tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. priced at £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality). Buying tickets over the phone – 0844 847 2455. To purchase Accessible Seating – 0333 321 9996

LUKE JACKSON has accused Carl Frampton of being overweight ahead of their big Belfast showdown.

Jackson (16-0) who challenges for Frampton’s interim WBO featherweight championship at Windsor Park on Saturday August 18 says training footage supports his claim.

The Australian star said: “I’ve seen some footage of Carl’s training. He still looks sluggish and bit heavy. It seems he is always on a plane going to places.

“They’re overlooking me, I’m just Luke Jackson from Australia who they are supposed to bowl over.

“I’m here in Sydney working my arse off. I can cause an upset and that is what I plan on doing.”

Jackson, 33, has coming to the end of a six week training camp in Sydney and shortly heads to Dubai with trainer Billy Hussein before fight week in Frampton’s back yard.

It’s the longest camp ever for the 2012 London Olympian, who says: “I am having a full eight weeks with Billy and had two weeks of conditioning in Tasmania before coming up to Sydney.

“Everything is good. My weight is right and everything is ahead of schedule.

“I have been doing 12 round sparring sessions and sometimes we have had to cut to ten because they couldn’t stay with me.

“I always train hard, but when you are fighting a guy of Carl’s stature I have to be better in every area.

“I am pushing hard in the gym and I think it’s gonna show. It’s showing in my training and Billy is very happy with me.

“I never asked for the fight with Carl. They asked for me, I was waiting Oscar Valdez but this fight presented itself and I grabbed it because I think I can win.”

Also on the BT Sport televised bill Lineal heavyweight king Tyson Fury faces a step up when he tackles two-time world title challenger Francesco Pianeta.

In only his sixth professional fight, Frampton’s great friend Paddy Barnes challenges WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales.

The bill also includes a light-heavyweight clash between Belfast’s Steven Ward and Dubliner Steve Collins Jr. Also in action is WBO European middleweight champion Luke Keeler, Conrad Cummings, KO king Lewis Crocker, Marco McCullough, Sean McComb and Steven Donnelly.

Limited remaining tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie priced at £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality). Buying tickets over the phone – 0844 847 2455. To purchase Accessible Seating – 0333 321 9996

CARL FRAMPTON is embroiled in a verbal clash with big fight rival Luke Jackson after the Australian teased him over their amateur achievements.

Frampton (25-1) defends his ‘interim’ WBO featherweight crown against Jackson (16-0) at Belfast’s Windsor Park on Saturday August 18 – the biggest show ever in the city promoter Frank Warren has called: “The boxing capital of Europe”.

Jackson, 33, captained Australia at the 2012 London Olympics, competed twice in the World amateur Championships and won a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

He said: “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.”

Warren has told Belfast hero Frampton that a win in front of more than 20,000 fans and a huge BT Sport audience is likely to book a crack at IBF world champion, Josh Warrington.

But he is already in fighting mode after Jackson who was also a five times Australian amateur champion let loose with a verbal volley.

“I’m lucky it’s not amateur boxing then,” Frampton snapped back on Twitter after hearing of his opponent’s comments.

The two-weight world champion added: “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.”

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.

Frampton, 31, is fresh off a magnificent points win over Nonito Donaire, but Jackson is questioning the validity of that triumph.

He says: “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.”

Also on the bill, Lineal heavyweight king Tyson Fury faces a step up when he tackles two-time world title challenger Francesco Pianeta.

In only his sixth professional fight, Frampton great friend Paddy Barnes challenges WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales.

Cummings rival Keeler is also on the bill which includes a tremendous light-heavyweight clash between Belfast’s Steven Ward and Dubliner Steve Collins Jr. Also in action is KO king Lewis Crocker and Marco McCullough.

Limited remaining tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. priced at £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality). Buying tickets over the phone – 0844 847 2455. To purchase Accessible Seating – 0333 321 9996

Conrad Cummings and Sam Maxwell will both be in action on the Windsor Park extravaganza headlined by Carl Frampton, Tyson Fury and Paddy Barnes.

Middleweight Cummings (13-2-1-KO6) will be eager to bounce back on a big stage after a European title defeat last time out while former Team GB super-lightweight Maxwell (8-0-KO6) bids to continue his flawless record.

Cummings said: “I’m honoured to be a part of this as it’s one of the biggest if not the biggest fight night Irish boxing will have ever seen.

“A lot of fighters would love to have the chance to be on this bill and I’m grateful to both MTK Global and Frank Warren.

“The whole night will be electric and Carl is finally getting to fulfil his dream. I took my eye off the ball last time but now I’m fully focused and driven to get back to it.”

Maxwell said: “I consider myself very lucky to be part of these events. I’ve got to thank MTK Global and Frank Warren. I can’t wait to fight on another huge night in Belfast.

“My last fight went the full distance. I proved to myself I can handle myself in a high-paced fight. I got the rounds in and was still feeling fresh at the end.

“It showed that not everyone I hit will be out of there. Some people will be able to take my shots and it’s a massive learning fight for me. I look forward to building after that reality check.”

An extraordinary night is topped by two-weight world champion Frampton facing unbeaten Olympian Luke Jackson, heavyweight king Tyson Fury taking on two-time world title challenger Francesco Pianeta and Paddy Barnes challenging Cristofer Rosales for the WBC world flyweight crown.

Joining Cummings and Maxwell on the undercard are Lewis Crocker, Keeler and Marco McCullough with several more fights to be announced in due course

Limited remaining tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. priced at £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality). Buying tickets over the phone – 0844 847 2455. To purchase Accessible Seating – 0333 321 9996

Hall of Fame Promoter Frank Warren has today confirmed further undercard details for the Windsor Park event on Saturday 18th August, headlined by Belfast Hero Carl Frampton’s defense of his Interim WBO World Featherweight Title against Australian Luke Jackson. Frampton v Jackson will be broadcast live and exclusive in the UK on BT Sport.

An already mouthwatering undercard has been further strengthened with the addition of a Cruiserweight showdown between Steve Collins Jr and Steven Ward and slots for Irish stars Luke Keeler, Lewis Crocker and Marco McCullough.

The bill also features The Lineal World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury, who continues his journey towards reclaiming the World Title belts that he never lost in the ring and Double Olympic Medalist Paddy Barnes’ challenge for the WBC World Flyweight Title against Chrisofer Rosales.

In a surefire barnstormer, MTK Global Cruiserweights Collins Jr (12-1-1-KO4) and Ward (7-0-KO3) will clash with ‘Quiet Man’ Ward enjoying home advantage and looking to preserve his unbeaten professional record.
Collins Jr – son of two-weight world champion and Irish Boxing Legend Steve Collins – will be looking to make his mark in his first fight of 2018 having been narrowly denied the Irish title by a points defeat to Paddy McDonagh last year.

Dublin’s WBO European middleweight champion Luke Keeler (14-2-1-KO5), was highly impressive in securing the vacant belt with a points victory over Conrad Cummings at Belfast’s SSE Arena in April will make the first defence of his crown against a top rated opponent.

Further down the card, welterweight KO king Crocker (6-0-KO6) is looking to continue his astonishing start to life as a professional.
The Belfast boy has halted all six of his opponents to date inside three rounds – the latest feat a savage first-round stoppage of Adam Grabiec on the undercard of Michael Conlan’s homecoming.

Another local star added to the action is super-featherweight Marco McCullough (19-4-KO11), who is out for the second time this year after outclassing Arnoldo Solano on the undercard of Carl Frampton v Nonito Donaire in April.

McCullough has previously challenged for Irish, British, European and Commonwealth belts and is looking to continue his journey back into title reckoning.

Promoter Frank Warren said: ‘I’m delighted that further Irish talent has been added to this already bumper card. The Ward v Collins Jr showdown is set to be a great fight for the fans on a card that already boasts Frampton v Jackson, The Lineal World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury and Paddy Barnes’ World Title challenge against Cristofer Rosales.

I’ve been very impressed so far with Lewis Crocker who looks to have a great future and in my experience of promoting cards where Marco McCullough and Luke Keeler have featured, they are always in entertaining fights.

This is set to be the biggest night of boxing to ever take place in Belfast and we can’t wait to watch it all unfold amongst what I’m sure will be a fantastic atmosphere and a full house at Windsor Park.’

Limited remaining tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. priced at £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality).

Buying tickets over the phone – 0844 847 2455
To purchase Accessible Seating – 0333 321 9996

TYRONE MCKENNA is refusing to ask Carl Frampton for secrets on big ?ght rival Jack Catterall.

He challenges for Catterall’s WBO Intercontinental Super-Lightweight crown at Belfast’s SSE Arena on Saturday in a ?ght where Frampton must be dreading which side to support.

The two-weight world champion is a close friend of McKenna and trains alongside Catterall at their trainer Jamie Moore’s gym on the outskirts of Manchester.

Catterall has taken the BT Sport televised ?ght at short notice and replaces injured Phil Sutcliffe.

McKenna, 28, said: “Carl was actually supposed to walk me out to the ring for the ?ght when Phil was the opponent, but that has changed. I wouldn’t want Carl in an awkward position.

“I was going to ?ght Tommy Coyle before and he was in camp with Carl. I always seem to be ?ghting friends or friends of friends. Everyone in boxing seems to know each other.

“I would never put Carl in the position where he talks about one of his gym mates. I wouldn’t like him to ?ght one of my team mates and ask about them.

“There is a line which you never cross during camp and I would never ask Carl, ‘How is Jack getting on in sparring? How is he doing with his weight?’

“I wouldn’t expect him to say to Jack what he knows about me and he wouldn’t get involved in that. There has to be respect.”

McKenna who is unbeaten in 17 ?ghts has seen his pro?le grow in the last 12 months and the 6ft 1in southpaw believes his popularity will mushroom after this weekend’s ?ght that has captured the imagination.

Tyrone who outpointed Anthony Upton in his last ?ght added: “My last six ?ghts have been on TV and I have a big fan base now.

“I have never taken an easy ?ght or turned down a ?ght. I was offered Jack when Phil pulled out and straight away I said, ’Yes’”.

The bill is topped by Michael Conlan’s Homecoming bout against Brazil’s former world title challenger Adeilson Dos Santos.

There is an all Dublin rematch when Jono Carroll defends his IBF intercontinental super featherweight crown against Declan Geraghty.

When they met in November 2014, Geraghty was ahead before he was disquali?ed in the fourth round. In a clash of unbeaten hopefuls,

Derry’s Tyrone McCullagh meets Glasgow’s Joe Ham in a vacant Celtic super-bantamweight title clash that doubles as a British championship eliminator.

The undercard is stacked with top prospects including Lewis Crocker, Sunny Edwards, Padraig McCrory, Taylor McGoldrick, Neslan Machado, Garry Cully plus Johnny Coyle and Lewis Benson who clash over ten rounds.

Tickets prices £250 (Inner Ring Hospitality), £200 (Outer Ring Hospitality), £120, £100, £80, £60, £50, £40 are available from the SSE Arena website.

TICKETS are now on sale for boxing’s summer sizzler at Belfast’s Windsor Park on Saturday 18th August starring Carl Frampton, Tyson Fury and Paddy Barnes.

Frampton will defend his ‘interim’ WBO world featherweight title against Australian Luke Jackson, who is ranked ?fth in the world.

It is a huge occasion for Frampton and he hopes victory will set-up a showdown with IBF champion Josh Warrington.

Lineal World Heavyweight Champion Fury will box a non-title ten rounder in his second comeback ?ght and is on a mission to conquer the world.

Frampton’s close friend Barnes will challenge for the WBC World Flyweight title in just his sixth professional contest when he faces champion Cristofer Rosales, who will making his ?rst defence.

A talent stacked undercard will be announced by promoter Frank Warren in the coming weeks featuring some of the big names and emerging stars in world boxing.

Don’t miss out on your chance to get your hands on the hottest tickets in boxing before they sell out.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. priced at £40, £50, £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality).

Buying tickets over the phone – 0844 847 2455

To purchase Accessible Seating – 0333 321 9996

Triple Olympian Paddy Barnes will challenge Cristofer Rosales for the WBC World Flyweight Title on the undercard of Carl Frampton v Luke Jackson at Windsor Park on August 18.

Barnes (5-0-KO1), who has two Olympic bronze medals to his name, will enjoy home support in Belfast as he bids to conquer the world in just his sixth bout as a professional.

Nicaragua’s Rosales (27-3-KO18) has been outpointed by Kal Yafai and Andrew Selby in the past but won the WBC crown with a stunning ninth-round stoppage of Daigo Higa back in April.

Barnes said: “I’m extremely excited. I’ve been boxing for 20 years and I made history by becoming a two-time Olympic medallist. Now I can become a world champion early in my pro career and make more history.

“My last fight was back in November but I’ve been in training camp since January as the original plan was to fight in March. It’s been frustrating but I always have faith in MTK Global and they’ve delivered.

“As for Rosales, he’s on a knockout streak so I know he can punch but he’s also a very good boxer. I think our styles will gel perfectly and the fans are in for a real war.

“He’s only lost three times to high-class opponents like Kal Yafai and Andrew Selby. Yafai outmuscled him and Selby outboxed him. I’m hoping I can do a bit of both.

“The atmosphere on the night will be absolutely incredible. Belfast as a city is full of knowledgeable boxing fans and they’ll get behind me against a very good world champion.

“I’ve fought all around the world in massive arenas and I loved it every time. This one will be extra special as it’s in my home city. I won’t be fazed by it – it will inspire me.”

A red letter night of boxing includes WBO interim world featherweight champion Carl Frampton – also from Belfast – clashing with the unbeaten Luke Jackson, with lineal world heavyweight king Tyson Fury starring on the bill.

Carl Frampton will defend his ‘interim’ WBO world featherweight title against unbeaten Australian Luke Jackson at Windsor Park, Belfast on Saturday August 18, ful?lling a dream to ?ght at the famous football stadium.

Lineal World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury will box a non-title ten rounder in his second comeback ?ght on a mission to conquer the world once again. Paddy Barnes will challenge for the WBC World Flyweight title in just his sixth professional contest when he faces champion Cristofer Rosales.

The Nicaraguan will be making the ?rst defence of his title he captured in April with a stunning upset win against Daigo Higa.

Promoter Frank Warren today announced the stunning bill that will televised live on BT Sport at a packed press conference held at Windsor Park.

Tickets on sale Friday from www.ticketmaster.ie. Price at £40, £50, £80, £100, £120, £150, £250, £400 (includes hospitality).

CARL FRAMPTON

“I thought last year Windsor Park had passed but Frank and the Irish Football Association have done a great job.

“I come here and watch the football team and the atmosphere cannot be beaten anywhere in the world. Its like 80,000 fans giving you support.

“I respect any opponent especially when they are coming to Windsor Park. “There are bigger ?ghts but I cannot overlook Luke. Windsor Park need me to put on a big performance.

“Luke is an Olympian, an undefeated ?ghter and this can change his life if he beats me in a ?ght of this magnitude.

“This is a tougher ?ght than Scott Quigg who is just looking for a payday.”

“I genuinely think I am better than three years ago and even big Tyson Fury wouldn’t beat me at Windsor Park.”

“To have Tyson on the undercard and Paddy in a world title ?ght is something else.”

LUKE JACKSON

“My father told me I have Irish ancestors so I’m home.”

“I’m a fan of Carl and he is humble. He is very good and I am going to have to be at my best.

“Carl doesn’t do anything great, but he is fundamentally sound and I am here to win. I am not here by luck.

“It has taken 16 years and got here through hard work and dedication.”

“I roomed with Jeff Horn at London 2012 and to see him beat Manny Pacquiao gives me hope and I have this massive opportunity.

“My life will change overnight if I win. I have been proving people wrong for a long time and I am ready to do it again.”

“I have been pretty vocal that I wanted Oscar Valdez, but this is even better. This is why we do it.”

TYSON FURY

“This will be my fourth time boxing in Belfast and I cannot wait.”

“Seferi was 23-1 but as soon as I clipped him he didn’t want to know. I can’t complain. I am still good looking.

“I hope we get someone who will punch me in the face, bust my face, bust my nose and I can show them.”

“I am still hoping for four ?ghts this year.”

Carl Frampton will realise a career-long dream when he defends his WBO Interim World Featherweight Title against Luke Jackson on the pitch at Windsor Park, Belfast, on August 18, on a card that also features Paddy Barnes challenging for the WBC World Flyweight title and the second fight of Tyson Fury on the comeback trail.

The 31-year-old two-weight world champion Frampton, who rolled back the years with a memorising performance to win the WBO belt against Nonito Donaire last time out at the SSE Arena in April, takes on the unbeaten Australian from Hobart in a bid to keep his ambitions to once again rule the featherweight roost on track.

The 33-year-old Jackson, 16-0, is the holder of the WBO Oriental Title, having previously held the WBA Oceania belt. He also captained the Australian boxing team at the 2012 London Olympics and won Commonwealth Games bronze in 2006.

Frampton acknowledges his challenger could be deemed something of an unknown quantity to fight fans in the Northern Hemisphere, but will in no way take victory on the night for granted.

“He is and I think a lot of people will expect to just to beat him up and blow him away,” commented Belfast’s favourite fighting son. “But he is ranked No.4 by the WBO, he is an Olympian with a good pedigree and is undefeated.

“So I will need to be ready and in the shape of my life. It is a big occasion with being at Windsor Park and that is the real thing here. I think that people who are coming to watch me perform at Windsor Park deserve for me to be in the shape of my life and put on a good show.

“That is what I intend to do and then move on and hopefully fight for a world title before the end of the year.

“I imagine some people will have been expecting a different opponent, but the fact I am not fighting a world champion is the fault of nobody. Josh Warrington beating Lee Selby sort of threw a spanner in the works for us because I think Selby would’ve come to Belfast.

“Oscar Valdez is out injured, Gary Russell has just fought and Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares also just fought. That’s it really; the top guys just aren’t available. It is good for me to get a defence in here.

“This is a dream for me and it is something I have talked about for a long time. You never know what happens in this game, it could be the one and only time I get to fight at Windsor Park.

“It is going to be a special occasion for myself and my family. For the people who are going to come and watch it there is going to be a top quality undercard as well and I think it will be a night to remember for Belfast.

“There was talk of waiting, but I wanted to do it because opportunities like this don’t come around too often. It is a dream of mine, I wanted to do it and that is the be all and end all.”

Hall of Fame promoter, Frank Warren, added: “We are delivering on a promise I made to Carl to ensure his dream of fighting at Windsor Park becomes a reality.

“The world title challenge we envisaged we unfortunately could not bring to fruition at this time but Carl is up against a hungry, unbeaten challenger in Luke Jackson who, as I often say, will not be coming to just make up the numbers.

“World title shots will come again soon enough for Carl and we have the IBF champion Josh Warrington waiting in the wings for a huge fight not too far down the line. Carl will also remain in pole position to challenge the WBO full champion Oscar Valdez when he returns from injury, should he overcome Jackson.

“Carl, as ever, will always be the focal point of a fight night in Belfast, but we are also planning a huge card for the Belfast public to feast their eyes on and two major attractions we have already confirmed is Tyson Fury making his fourth appearance in the city in his second fight of his comeback, as well as Paddy Barnes attempting to achieve the remarkable feat of winning a world title in just his sixth professional fight.

“It is certain to be a special night and I am sure Windsor Park will be packed to the rafters creating an atmosphere we have never heard the like of before.”

Barnes challenges for the WBC World Flyweight title against the Nicaraguan Cristofer Rosales, 27-3, who claimed the belt in a huge upset win over the previously unbeaten Japanese Daigo Higa in April, with a ninth round stoppage in Yokahoma.

“It is going to be an amazing night where I get to fight for a world title in my home city, so I cannot wait until it happens,” said the 31-year-old two-time Olympic medallist.

“The fact it is for the WBC title means even more, the green belt is the best one in boxing so it makes it even more special.

“Rosales is good at what he does, but I feel I have the skill to outfight and outbox him. It will be a very, very hard fight though.

“People will talk about me fighting for a world title after just six fights, but I don’t view it as a gamble because of my history as an amateur.

“As a professional, right from the offset, I said that I wanted to create history because we already have world champions in Belfast. So for me to stand out I need to create history by doing it the quickest.
“I don’t think winning a world title after six fights will ever be matched again here.”

Tickets will be on sale on Friday 22nd June via Ticketmaster.ie

Priced at: £400 (Hospitality), £250, £150, £120, £100, £80, £50, £40

According to Dan Rafael of espm.com former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will be back in action on August 18th in Dublin on a card headlined by Carl Frampton.

“It means the world to me. It’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time(To be fighting in Windsor Park) ,” Frampton said. “I feel it should’ve happened last year, but it’s happening now.

“I’ve loads left. My last performance was the second-best of my career after the first Leo Santa Cruz fight. I feel like I’m enjoying it more, and while I’m still performing, I’ll do it as long as I can. It’s great to have Tyson Fury on the undercard. To have someone of his stature on the undercard is massive, and he’ll be up against a more serious opponent this time, so it’s good for everyone.”

Carl Frampton won the WBO Interim Featherweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over former 4-divison champion Nonito Donaire at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Ireland.

Frampton won on all cards 117-111 and is now 25-1.  Donaire is now 38-5.

“I think Jamie deserves a lot of credit because the gameplan was perfect,” said Frampton. “As you saw in the 11th round, Nonito Donaire is a dangerous opponent. I survived the round and stuck to the gameplan. At times, my boxing was beautiful.

“Donaire was a sharp puncher throughout. I was definitely hurt in the 11th round, people could see it. But champions survive and that’s what I did. The only thing on my mind is fighting at Windsor Park. I can’t wait to get there”

EARLY RESULTS FROM THE BELFAST SSE ARENA

Fight # 1 – 16:00 hrs
4 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Middleweight Contest
RYAN HATTON TKO2 (1:59) V ATTILA TIBOR NAGY

Fight # 2
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Heavyweight Contest
ALEX DICKINSON KO1 (1:08) V LEE CARTER

Fight # 3
6 X 3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest
TROY WILLIAMSON TKO4 (2:41) V CHRISTIAN HOSKIN GOMEZ

Fight # 4
6 X 3 Minute Rounds International Featherweight Contest
TYRONE McCULLAGH TKO3 (2:10) V ELVIS GUILLEN

Fight # 5
6 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Featherweight Contest
MARCO McCULLOUGH WPTS6 (60-53) V ARNOLD SOLANO

Fight # 6
6 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Lightweight Contest
SAM MAXWELL KO1 (0:56) V MICHAEL ISSAC CARRERO

Fight # 7
6 X 3 Minute Rounds International Light-Heavyweight Contest
STEVEN WARD TKO3 (2:48) V MICHAL CIACH

Follow all the action as Carl Frampton and Nonito Donaire fight for the Interim WBO Featherweight title.  The fight begins at 5:15 PM ET.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY 

Round 1: Short left hook from Frampton..Body shot from Donaire..Body shot..Left hook

Round 2:  Hard right from Framptom..Left eye of Donaire is swelling..Right from FramptoN..Right

Round 3 Good right from Frampton..Left hook..Right from Donaire..Right from Frampton

Round 4 Straight right from Frampton ..Chopping right and a body shot…Left to the head..3 punch combination

Round 5 Good jab from Frampton..Right uppercut from Donaire..2 good uppercuts..Good jab from Frampton..Good right

Round 6 Good right from Frampton..Right..Good jab from Donaire..

Round 7 Good left from Frampton..2 Hard uppercuts hurts Frampton..

Round 8  Right and left from Frampton

Round 9  Body shots from Frampton

Round 10

Round 11 Body shot from Donaire..Jab from Frampton..Left..Right and body shot from Donaire..left hook..Big left

Round 12  Right uppercut and left hook from Donaire..Left from Frampton..Left from Donaire..6 punches on ropes from Frampton

117-111 ON ALL CARDS FOR FRAMPTON