CARL Frampton is hoping to end his run of four fights without a knockout when he goes toe-to-toe with Mexico’s Andres Gutierrez on July 29.
‘The Jackal’ didn’t attempt to hide his disappointment that his homecoming fight - after two years on the road - isn’t taking place at Windsor Park, but admits he can’t wait to get back inside the four walls of Belfast’s SSE Arena.
Windsor remains a dream he hopes can be fulfilled later in his career.
On the last occasion he graced the SSE Arena, Frampton brought the house down, stopping Chris Avalos after five rounds.
That was his last win inside the distance but, having watched footage of Gutierrez’s come-forward style, Frampton reckons he could end a run of decision victories on July 29.
“I love boxing that sort of style, hands high, come forward, aggressive, a little bit similar to Kiko [Martinez],” he said.
“It’s going to be a difficult fight but against the style he has, that’s when I look my best. He has a big massive head as well.
“It’s a big target, but a lot of the time that indicates to me a good chin. I have a big head but, Jesus, his is a breezeblock, so he might be tough to break down.
“But if I hit anyone clean around these weight divisions, I believe I can knock them out.
“My last four fights, I haven’t had a knockout, so I’m due one. The last time I did get a knockout was in the Odyssey so maybe that’s a sign.”
The fight is an official eliminator for Gary Russell jr’s WBC belt and ‘The Jackal’ says that, should he safely negotiate Gutierrez, a return Stateside later in the year is most likely.
With Leo Santa Cruz set to fight Abner Mares on September 9, it is unlikely he will be out again in 2017, therefore Russell jr – or a domestic dust-up with Lee Selby – remain distinct possibilities.
“Selby’s a world champion but, to be honest, I think he’s up sh*t creek. What does he do? I don’t know what the guy’s going to do. He doesn’t sell a ticket, he wasted our time. But that’s a fight that would be great if it happened in the future, it just wasn’t to be this time.”
Can I add that I am deeply sorry for people who missed tickets. It is my objective to box at Windsor & sell it out before I retire. Sorry https://t.co/WYynvL55GD
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) June 15, 2017
On Russell jr, he added: “He’s a very good fighter, only one loss to the brilliant [Vasyl] Lomachenko, took some rounds off Lomachenko as well.
“He’s a good fighter, very fast, I think he can be bullied though. But that’s all what ifs - all I’m thinking about is this guy here.”