JOSH WARRINGTON will be trying to beat a hero into retirement when he defends his IBF featherweight against Carl Frampton.
The 27-year-old Leeds ace takes on the Irishman, 31, on December 22 at the Manchester Arena after friends warned him Frampton was moving up to take his scalp.
Warrington watched Frampton win super-bantamweight and featherweight world titles and was full of admiration.
But Belfast’s former two-weight king has admitted he could be in the last year of his career and Warrington smells the chance to KO Ireland’s superstar.
Warrington said: “I have this world title and I don’t plan on giving it up soon.
“When Carl moved up to featherweight all my pals made jokes that he was coming for me.
“I have always enjoyed watching Carl, I have been a fan. As soon as he comes into the division you start keeping an eye out.
“The Carl fight whets the appetite and I want to prove myself, I am ranked No2 behind Carl and I want to prove I am No1.
“Over the years he has looked very special, I don’t want to lick his arse too much but he has looked special at times.”
Frampton was the subject of a brilliant documentary that aired on Monday night that gave an insight into his life behind the scenes.
The dedicated dad and revealed he could be in the last 12 months of his career as he plans to be a house-husband.
But The Jackal insists he is not finished in the ring yet and can’t wait to prove his critics wrong by cleaning up the division after changing his gym.
He said: “I was not enjoying boxing a couple of years ago, I was counting down the days until retirement.
“Things are now going well and I am enjoying boxing again. I was winning big fights and beating good opponents but not enjoying it.
“Now I am enjoying it and am an even better fighter.
The story of boxer Carl Frampton at a career-defining moment – a fight at his beloved Windsor Park
"I am training smarter and not running myself into the ground or over-training. It’s a much smarter approach and I feel in my prime.
“This will be the sweetest world title because I have been written off. After I lost to Leo Santa Cruz people said I was done.”
Warrington was full of praise for the challenger but insisted he would not go out for dinner with him.
The build up to Warrington's title win in May over Lee Selby was spiteful but Tuesday's meeting with Frampton was stopped, just short, of a love-in.
He said: "I draw the line at going out for a meal, we are not getting off with each other."
Frank Warren confirms Carl Frampton will fight Josh Warrington after beating Luke Jackson at Windsor Park
