By Elliot Foster
Carl Frampton has had his return date already confirmed.
The Belfast featherweight was only in the ring less than two weeks ago.
But Frampton, the WBO interim world title holder after a convincing points win over Nonito Donaire at the SSE Arena in his home city on April 21, knows the date for his comeback.
He also knows the venue –– and he knows it will be broadcast on BT Sport as part of an extended partnership with promoter Frank Warren.
‘The Jackal’ will be back in action on August 18 at Windsor Park, the home ground of Linfield FC and the Northern Ireland national football team, after Warren delivered on his promise to bring the 31-year-old a stadium fight at the 18,434-capacity venue.
“He’s the interim champion,” Warren, who aims to find out in the coming weeks the status of full champion Oscar Valdez, currently out with a jaw injury, says. “I don’t know when Valdez is going to fight, but he has to fight against Carl."
Another potential opponent option for Frampton’s stadium outing could be the winner of Lee Selby’s defence of the IBF featherweight title against number one-ranked challenger Josh Warrington on May 19 at Elland Road in Leeds.
“There are a lot of things for us to look at,” Warren continued, “but I promised Carl we’d be at Windsor Park and we’re going there in the summer.
“Belfast has always been a great fight city but it’s come alive with the fights going on there. The catalyst is Carl and everything is coming off that.”
Meanwhile, Michael Conlan will return to Belfast on June 30, at the aforementioned SSE Arena, as part of a Frank Warren-promoted card in association with Conlan’s promotional outfit Top Rank.
Boxing Scene understands Paddy Barnes could be set for a big title fight on the undercard of Conlan’s homecoming.