Carl Frampton: ‘I am a different level’ for Jackson

Carl Frampton is hoping a win on Saturday over Australia’s Luke Jackson will propel him back into proper world title fights — maybe Oscar Valdez, maybe Josh Warrington, maybe a rubber match with Leo Santa Cruz — but he says that while confident, he’s not overlooking the underdog opponent.

“I just believe that I am a different level. It doesn’t matter what anyone says right now , it’s what happens on the night that’s the important thing. It’s all about getting the hand raised at the end of the night and that’s what I’m going to do. I’m ready for this fight.”

Frampton (25-1, 14 KO) is 31 now and says he feels like he’s in his prime, saying he feels better for this fight than he did going into his win over Nonito Donaire in April. He’s favored and expected to win this fight, and to do so without much real trouble, but Jackson feels Frampton is past his best days, and that he may be ripe for the picking.

Like Frampton says, none of the talk really matters, it’s about what happens on Saturday in Belfast.