Former multi-weight world champion Carl Frampton was involved in plenty of great fights across his career, but admits that one man hit him harder than all the rest.

‘The Jackal’ is one of Northern Ireland’s finest boxers, having turned professional in 2009 and quickly established himself with his great technique, fast hands and punching power.

In 2014, he won the IBF super-bantamweight world title by defeating tough Spaniard Kiko Martínez, and two years later he beat Scott Quigg to unify titles.

He later moved up to featherweight to defeat Leo Santa Cruz in New York and become Northern Ireland’s first two-weight world champion.

Frampton lost the rematch, and then later challenged Josh Warrington for the IBF featherweight title in Manchester but lost on points.

Speaking on Up Front With Simon Jordan, Frampton named Warrington as the biggest puncher he faced.

“I think I was quite a substantial favourite going into that one. I knew it would be a difficult fight. He had a great win against [Lee] Selby previous to that. He was on fire really. He was very fit, physically strong, tough, but there was nothing to suggest that he was a puncher before.”

Frampton fought three more times after losing to Warrington, with his last fight being a loss against Jamel Herring for the WBO junior lightweight title in 2021. Warrington has not yet retired but last time out he lost to Leigh Wood for the second time back in February and has now lost five of his 38 contests.