Carl Frampton is looking forward to Leo Santa Cruz showdown in New York

It is now less than 10 weeks until ‘The Jackal’ faces Santa Cruz in the 22000 seater Barclays Center and Frampton says he can’t wait for the first bell.

“I start sparring this week and on Saturday it will only be nine weeks until the fight

“We will start sparring with an unbeaten lightweight this week and then take it from there.

“The training in the weeks leading up to the fight will be intense - but I know I have to be in the shape of my life as this will be the toughest fight of my boxing career.

“Santa Cruz is a three weight World champion and he is tough,

“But I think he is made for me with his high guard and his high work rate. This is a massive fight and these are the kind of fights I want to be involved in,” he added.

And Frampton believes fighting at featherweight will give him extra power and strength.

“I believe the extra four pounds will mean I will be stronger and have more power.

“And I finished my amateur career at featherweight and I’m adding an extra weights session in a week now, as well.

“I’m trying to get as big as I can to fit in to featherweight, not just eat my way up to it.

“I’m enjoying it and I’m enjoying boxing again.

“It’s not going to be busting yourself constantly to make the super-bantamweight limit.

“I genuinely made it comfortably against Scott Quigg – the easiest I’ve made it for a while but it’s not easy and it’s not getting any easier,” added Frampton.