Luke Jackson set to be Windsor Park opponent for Carl Frampton

While the date and the venue have been known for over a month, Carl Frampton‘s dream Windsor Park fight night was officially confirmed last night.

The stadium date for the featherweight was announced following Tyson Fury’s comeback win over Sefer Seferi in Manchester – with the former unified heavyweight champ also being confirmed to be appearing in 10 week’s time.

An opponent is still to be revealed for Frampton [25(14)-1(0)], with an announcement expected over the coming week.

With big names galore ruled out, there has been little consensus on who ‘The Jackal’ will face at Windsor but well-respected Irish boxing journalist Kevin Byrne is reporting that Luke Jackson [16(7)-0] will man the opposition corner this Summer.

Carl Frampton v Luke Jackson seems to be the one. Windsor Park, August 18

— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) June 10, 2018

The 33-year-old Australian is a managerial stablemate of Frampton, and MTK adviser Mike Altamura had said last month that he was looking to make the fight.

With Jackson ranked #5 with the WBO at featherweight, the fight would fit as an interim title defence for Frampton as he awaits the return of champion Óscar Valdez.

Jackson currently holds the WBO Oriental title but the Tasmanian, a 2012 Olympian, has never fought at a high level. His career-best win was perhaps a competitive ten-round win over Humberto de Santiago – who Irish fans will remember as the Mexican blasted out in three rounds by Jono Carroll back in November.

The fighter was one of five potential opponents listed by Irish-Boxing.com last month http://www.irish-boxing.com/who-will-carl-frampton-fight-at-windsor-park/

While reaction to the reports has been almost entirely negative, Frampton admittedly has few options with all the champions ruled out. That said, one could not claim that Jackson is the best available opponent for August 18th.

The reality that a big name will not be coming to Belfast has become increasingly apparent in recent weeks and it seems that it will be this Winter before we see Frampton in with another world class fighter.

Valdez is set to return from a broken jaw before the year out and he has stated that he wants Frampton in his comeback bout – although his manager and promoters have said that they would prefer a gentler test.

Frampton himself has his sights set on promotional stablemate and IBF champion Josh Warrington, with Queensberry boss Frank Warren suggesting a December clash at the Manchester Arena.

Official confirmation on Luke Jackson is awaited.

31-year-old Frampton last fought in April, defeating four-weight champion Nonito Donaire on points at the SSE Odyssey Arena.