By Richard O'Reilly
It's fight week in Belfast as local boy Carl Frampton heads to the SSE Arena to take on Mexican Andres Gutierrez.
Ahead of the main event Frampton held an open practice at Victoria Square on Wednesday afternoon. And the Jackal said it's good to be back in front of his home fans.
"The big thing for me was to fight at home" said the Jackal "people have spent a lot of money to come out and see me in Manchester, New York, Las Vegas, El Paso even."
Frampton wouldn't give too much away tactically ahead of the fight, however he inplied footwork would be key against the hard-hitting Mexican.
"My best attribute is my feet" said Frampton "I've kind of neglected them of late, but we'll see what happens on Saturday night".
.@RealCFrampton speaks to @RM_oreilly ahead of this weekend's fight against Andres Gutierrez pic.twitter.com/CbmcxAS0gF
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 26, 2017
He was joined at the open session by his opponent Andres Gutierrez, who received a warm welcome from the Belfast crowd. A gesture reciprocated by the Jackal himself, who showed plenty of respect for the Mexican.
Gutierrez is by no means here to make up the numbers, he intends to make a decent fist of things. "I'm going to give the people the fight they want to see" said Gutierrez through his translator "a top fight"
.@RealCFrampton opponent on Saturday Gutierrez enters the ring during today's open practice at Victoria Square pic.twitter.com/Jdf872NNnq
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 26, 2017
Frampton also says he has not given up hope of fighting at Windsor Park. "I'm disappointed this fight couldn't be there [Windsor Park]" said Frampton "I would look back on my career with great regret if that fight never came off at Windsor Park"
Frampton is the elder statesman in Saturdays bout, weighing in at 30 years old compared to Gutierrez's 24. However Frampton doesn't believe that gives his opponent any kind of edge.
"30 used to be old in this sport but not any more" said Frampton "I feel my engine's improved,at 24 I would have struggled to go 12 rounds, but at 30 no problem"
The man himself @RealCFrampton holds an open practice at Victoria Square pic.twitter.com/9uttMfKm6s
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 26, 2017
Carl Frampton and Gutierrez will have their weigh-in on Friday at the Europa Hotel. Then on Saturday night it's the main event as the Jackal takes on the 'Jaguarcito' at the SSE Arena.
For everything you need to know about the fight, check out Q Radio's complete guide to the fight week.