Carl Frampton wants to become legend of Irish boxing

Carl Frampton has won all 19 fights of his professional career

IBF super-bantamweight champion Carl Frampton says he wants to become an Irish boxing legend as he prepares to defend against American Chris Avalos.

Unbeaten Frampton, 28, beat former champion Kiko Martinez on points to secure the title in September.

"I want to become an Irish boxing legend, but also a legend of Irish sport," stated the Belfast boxer.

"I want people to be talking about my fights for years to come the way they talk about Barry McGuigan's fights."

"It's coming up to 30 years since Barry beat Eusebio Pedrosa to win the world title at Loftus Road and people still talk about it.

"It's about legacy and establishing a healthy lifestyle for me and my family after boxing as well," said Frampton, who adds that he believes he can "beat any super-bantamweight in the world".

"I go into each fight with a mindset that you're going to have to hit me with a hammer to stop me going forward, and even that's not going to stop me.

"We've been working to a game-plan we think is going to beat this guy and we've brought in sparring partners to try to replicate Avalos's style as much as possible.

"This is the best training camp we've ever had and I've sparred with a lot of good guys.

"I'm an improved fighter and I'm walking a bit taller with that air of confidence you get from being a champion,

"Whatever it takes to win this I'm going to do it - I think Avalos is struggling to make the weight and that may have a big part to play on Saturday night too."

A victory at the Odyssey Arena could open up the possibility of a unification fight against one of the other champions in the division, England's Scott Quigg or Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux.

"You can't look too far ahead but it's important to look to the future to some degree. Having said that, if I lose this fight all those plans go out the window.

"I want as many of my fights as possible to be in Belfast but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to go to the States at some stage.

"You can't beat the atmosphere here and if I have a few away days in the States I'm sure I'll bring a few with me there too.

"Everyone knows I love this place and I promote it wherever I go. It's a great city and the support I get is unbelievable."