Carl Frampton reveals Josh Warrington fight injury

Carl Frampton [26(15)-2(0)] has admitted that he was far from one hundred percent for much of his ill-fated challenge of IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington earlier this month but ‘The Jackal’ is not keen on making excuses.

The Belfast boxer was outpointed by Warrington at the Manchester Arena, putting in a game effort but being outfought by the reigning champ in the inaugural domestic BT Sport Box Office event.

However, Frampton has revealed that an accidental injury suffered in the very first round of the title fight limited his range of movement and cut his chances substantially.

The 31-year-old outlined that an early collision between the pair left him with a dead leg and left him largely unable to box on his toes from range and forced him to trade with the relentless Warrington more than what was planned.

Frampton, who is currently enjoying a well-earned break in the UAE, broke the news in his weekly column for the Sunday Life but wanted to make it clear that he was providing context rather than excuses.

The two-weight world champion outlined how “I’ve never been one for excuses and I am in no way taking any credit away from Warrington but a lot of people have been asking why I didn’t box more, using my footwork the way I normally do and it’s just a fact that my leg was hurting – and I have the bruising to prove it.”

“At some point in the first round his knee crashed into my thigh and gave me a dead leg – but I’m not making excuses, he won the fight fair and square.”

While his future in the sport remains in doubt, and a decision on whether he will fight on or retire will be made soon, Frampton does believe that he has the ability to beat Warrington [28(6)-0].

Again, not questioning the result or even calling for a do-over, Frampton described how “if I had a re=match with Warrington I believe I would beat him – if I stuck to my game-plan.”