Carl Frampton to scrap “silly” retirement plan

Carl Frampton [24(14)-1(0)] has binned the ‘mythical age’ he had in mind for retirement and has shelved the idea of hanging up his gloves in his early 30s.

‘The Jackal’ has previously suggested he would end his pro career at the age of 32, which is three years younger than his next opponent Nonito Donaire.

However, speaking to the BBC recently he revealed that he has no ‘get out’ age in mind and will now retire when the time is right.

Frampton, who turns 31 later this month, had hinted the same at the press conference to announce his move to new promoter Frank Warren, with his new training set-up in Manchester with Jamie Moore reinvigorating him.

The Belfast featherweight knows he won’t be able to trade leather at elite level forever, but now that he is loving the game again and wants to compete for the foreseeable future.

“I’ve changed my belief because I didn’t really love the game,” said Frampton.

“I had this mythical age of 32 in my head where I had thought: ‘once I get to that age I’m going to retire’, which was silly.”

“I’m enjoying boxing now. I’m enjoying this new environment, it’s hard work but it’s good fun and I think that I can go on for as long as I want.”

“I’m not daft. I know it’s a hard game and I’m not going to be doing this when I’m 40-years-old but I haven’t got a retirement age in my head at this point.”

The two-weight world champion will return to the ring to fight Nonito Donaire at the SSE Odyssey Arena on Saturday April 21st and knows victory is necessary if he wants to fulfil his Windsor Park dream.

“That’s what is looking like is going to happen if I win this next fight,” added Frampton.

“I don’t want to be looking too far ahead but that’s the carrot dangling in front of my nose. Windsor Park is booked but I have to win this fight so I’m not taking my eye off my opponent, Nonito Donaire, who is a very, very good fighter.

“I need to win against him and then I can start thinking about Windsor Park.”