Carl Frampton: Donaire will force me to be at my best

Carl Frampton refused to get carried away, despite being one win away from potentially securing his dream fight – standing in his way is four weight world champion Nonito Donaire.

A triumph over the “Filipino Flash” on April 21st could set up a summer world title shot against the winner of Lee Selby vs Josh Warrington at Windsor Park stadium.

Speaking to BoxNation, Frampton said:

“Donaire is an exceptional fighter and one I need to get everything perfect for.”

“He can truly bang with those hands of his and you do not reach the level he’s reached without being extremely dangerous.

“This fight will force me to be at my very best.”

While some fighters engage in fake hate to promote contests, this bout’s build-up has been somewhat refreshing.

Following the pair’s first press conference in January, “The Jackal” Frampton and his Filipino foe showed off their vocal talents by engaging in a sing-off.

”Donaire is a genuinely nice guy and that’s great as he is on the same page as me in our attitudes to boxing.”

“It is a sport. You go in there and you give it everything, but before and after the fight, there’s no need for vitriol.

“Just go in, fight your heart out and then when it’s over, you can get to know them better.”

the 31-year-old Belfast fighter has always dreamed of competing at Windsor Park with a world championship crown on the line.

That vision could become a reality, with opponents Selby, Warrington, Oscar Valdez or Leo Santa Cruz all in line to face Frampton in the summer.

“I adore where I come from, so to step out in Windsor Park and fight for a world title, really I can’t even comprehend it.”

“It would be like everything has come together in my life and career.

“However, I have been involved in boxing long enough to know it is a sport that rarely deals in fairy-tales. I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead.”