'I'm out to prove my doubters wrong' Frampton in determined mood as he prepares to win another world title
Jackal fully motivated for Warrington bout
Ahead of his big Christmas showdown with Josh Warrington in Manchester, Downtown & Cool FM Sports reporter ALEX KEERY catches up with Carl Frampton
Carl Frampton says it has been a long road back to the top - but he is ready to win a fourth world title.
"It's taken a while to get me here back into contention for a world title,” he told us.
“I wanted to do it, to jump straight back into a rematch with Leo, but it wasn't to be.
“I've kind of went the long way around and I've been lucky enough that the fans have stuck by my side and followed me on that journey.”
The Jackal is up against Josh Warrington in Manchester on December 22.
The undefeated Englishman will defend the IBF title he won back in May in his hometown, Leeds.
Frampton says he is out to prove his doubters wrong.
"This will be the sweetest win of them all because a year and a half ago, I was on the scrap heap, according to some people,” he said.
“I have a load of different things that motivate me. Family, fans, the people that get behind me - but the people that wrote me off, they're the biggest driving force in my career."
It is a return to the ring after Frampton finally fought his dream bout at Windsor.
But he says he needs to progress, and move on from fighters like Luke Jackson.
"From now on in, and until the end of my career, it needs to be big names,” Frampton told us.
“I don't want to be fighting guys like Luke Jackson any more. If the Jackson fight had been in the Odyssey, the motivation may not have been there. But because it was Windsor Park, I was very, very motivated."
The Jackal also revealed it took a while to mentally recover from defeat to Leo Santa Cruz - and he paid tribute to his wife Christine.
"There's my family, my mum and dad and the people from around my local amateur club - but Christine in particular was a real rock for me. I felt down in the dumps, and she helped pull me out of it.