Frampton says he won’t look beyond Luke

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Carl Frampton has dismissed Luke Jackson’s claims he is looking beyond their fight on Saturday — and insists that after rediscovering his passion for boxing he has entered his prime.

The featherweight, 31, will achieve his long-term ambition of fighting at Belfast’s Windsor Park against Australia’s Jackson, but does so amid well-known plans for his next fight.

IBF champion Josh Warrington plans to be ringside and WBO titlist Oscar Valdez remains a potential alternative opponent, leading to the 33-year-old Jackson’s belief he is being overlooked.

Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton Media Workouts – Hatton Health and Fitness
Carl Frampton is looking forward to fighting at Windsor Park (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Saturday’s fight is Frampton’s third under new promoter Frank Warren and new trainer Jamie Moore.

The Northern Irishman said: “He (Jackson) said that I’m overlooking him but I haven’t been. I haven’t been this whole camp, it hasn’t just changed this last two weeks.

“When people talk about me overlooking him, and talk about Warrington and Valdez — I don’t start talking about them, I get asked about them.

“They’re the fights that I want, but Luke Jackson is the only one who’s been on my mind this whole training camp.

Carl Frampton and Tyson Fury Public Workout – Castle Court Shopping Centre
Luke Jackson, pictured, is on Carl Frampton’s mind (Liam McBurney/PA)

“When you start bringing big numbers (of supporters) to Vegas and New York, then you start to think about Windsor. For the last five years it’s been a dream of mine, and now we’re doing it.

“I feel in the shape of my life because, mentally, I’m so happy with boxing this last year. Everything’s flipped for me. I was winning fights and beating big names but I wasn’t enjoying it. Now I’m enjoying it, and you’re going to see bigger performances.”

Carl Frampton v Nonito Donaire – Press Conference
Jamie Moore says Carl Frampton is focused (Niall Carson/PA)

“(But) this has been a dream of Carl’s for a long time.”

The little-known Jackson has won each of his 16 professional fights but remains a significant underdog, and he said: “If he (Frampton) loses to me his career’s pretty much over.”

His trainer Billy Hussein, referring to one of the biggest upsets this year, added: “Carl Frampton’s overlooking Luke, with the (potential) Warrington fight.

“Just two weeks ago myself and Luke watched (Sergey) Kovalev (lose to Eleider Alvarez); they were building him to fight (Dmitry) Bivol, and he got beaten. I believe we’re going to do the same again.”

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