CARL Frampton was smiling from ear to ear. Josh Warrington looked smaller at yesterday’s weigh-in than he had at the press conference two days previously – Frampton suspects he was wearing insoles - and the much-vaunted support the Leeds Warrior enjoys was absent.
It was the Frampton fans making all the noise at Manchester Central (formerly known as the G-Mex) yesterday and ‘the Jackal’ considered that to be his first victory of this weekend.
“I was expecting it to be a bit more pro-Warrington to be honest,” said Frampton.
“Leeds is only up the road so I’m very happy with that.”
Frampton detects nerves in the Warrington camp now. He says they’re talking too much and betraying their apprehension as the time comes for their man to get into the ring with Belfast’s two-weight world champion.
“These boys are getting nervous now, they’re talking too much and saying things they don’t need to say,” he said.
“His dad (Sean O’Hagan, also Warrington’s trainer) is walking about trying to be funny and that is a sign of weakness. You don’t have to say anything, this is a serious sport and lets take it seriously and get ready for a fight.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow night, I think it’s one to remember and I’m going to put on a performance that a lot of people don’t think I’m capable of any more. I’m ready for a big one.”
There certainly wasn’t much to choose between them in height when the fighters went head-to-head on the stage yesterday. There were private words between them - Warrington did his best to try and convince Frampton that he would be keeping his title. He didn’t come close to doing so but there was a cordial handshake between them before they broke off.
“He’s not as big as he was at the press conferences,” said Frampton.
“He must have had insoles in his shoes (coach Nigel Travis agreed), he must have, because he was massive at the press conference. He is an inch taller than me, if that. Why would he wear big shoes at the press conference? There’s no need for it.”
Warrington may be the champion but Frampton is the favourite and he remains the bigger draw for the media. Warrington of course means to change all that and promoter Frank Warren, perhaps hedging his bets, signed both on new long-term contracts before the fight.
“I’m ready,” said Warrington.
“We’ve got 12 rounds to sort is out with each other. The talking will be done with our hands.”
No-one gave him a chance of beating Lee Selby, not many are tipping him to beat Frampton tomorrow night. But that doesn’t worry Warrington and he says his fans will be cheering come the end of tonight’s battle.
“It doesn’t bother me whatsoever,” he said.
“After Saturday night I will win even more fans over and people can’t argue once I beat Lee Selby and Carl Frampton in the same year.
“I’m getting a few boos here but on Saturday night my supporters will be cheering me and the people who are booing me now will be silent.
“People get expect a 12-round contest and it’s going to be exciting.”
