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Gareth Fullerton

Carl Frampton relishing comeback after persuading wife Christine to let him carry on fighting

Carl Frampton insists he can't wait to return to action after persuading wife Christine to let him carry on fighting.

The Jackal will make his eagerly anticipated comeback this summer in the US.

It will be his first fight since losing out to Josh Warrington in Manchester last December, a devastating defeat that had Frampton contemplating retirement.

His wife Christine wanted him to quit in the aftermath of that loss, but he has talked her into letting him prolong his career for a few more bouts.

The 32-year-old has a multi-fight deal in place with Bob Arum's Top Rank and broadcaster ESPN.

He will return to the ring in August somewhere on the east coast of America, with one of the big targets being a showdown with WBO featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez.

“My missus wants me to hang the gloves up, but I’ve told her to give me a wee bit longer,” Frampton told the Mirror.

“I’m ready to go again and I hope to fight again in August. I’ve got my deal with Top Rank and ESPN and I’ve been told I’ll be fighting somewhere on the East Coast.

“I don’t know exactly where yet and I don’t have an opponent.

“I’m really excited. I love it over there and I could see myself finishing my career over there. I could do a couple of fights over there and I’d like another fight back home.

“I believe I can win another world title and I’d love a fight with Oscar Valdez.”

Frampton believes he has learned from the mistakes he made against Warrington last Christmas.

“Looking back at it now, I was confident and I expected to win the fight,” he added.

“I know he put in a brilliant performance to beat Lee Selby to win the title, but you looked at Selby and thought he was dead at the weight.

“I felt right going into the fight and I’d sparred well in training. I just underestimated his power. I knew he was strong physically, but I didn’t expect him to have as much power in his punches as he did.

“He shook me in the first round and the second. I’ve never been hit that hard.

“He was very, very good on the night.

“I’ve moved on from that defeat and I’m ready to go again. I genuinely believe I can enjoy some more great nights.”

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