CARL Frampton thrilled Belfast fans on his way to the top and on Saturday they’ll see him fight to stay there.
After the first loss of his career, ‘the Jackal’ returns to the SSE Arena for the first time in two-and-a-half years to meet Mexican wannabe Andres Gutierrez and, aged 30, he says it’s a battle he has to win.
“I want to prove to people that the last performance was just a blip,” he said recalling his points loss to Leo Santa Cruz in January.
“I tell have so much more to give and if the sparring I’ve been doing over the last couple of weeks is anything to go by I feel like I’m getting better. The performances I’ve been putting in in the gym were great, but it’s about carrying that into the ring on Saturday night.”
Gutierrez, AKA ‘the Jaguar’, is six years Frampton’s junior. He comes to fight and sees Frampton as the last hurdle between him and an all-Mexico blockbuster between him and Santa Cruz.
“I think this guy is made for me to be honest,” said Frampton.
“He’s a good fighter and I’ll need to be on it but if you wanted to build the fighter that would be the best opponent for me, you’d build Andres Gutierrez – maybe with a little less punching power though!
“I think he’s made for me and he’ll give me a chance to showcase what I’ve got.”
