Every boxer knows that cuts and bruises come with the territory.

But as north Belfast fighter Carl 'The Jackal' Frampton is getting married in two weeks' time, he's hoping his face won't get too marked when he defends his European championship this weekend.

On Saturday night, Carl will be taking on Frenchman Jeremy Pardoi – in an IBF super bantamweight world title eliminator and European title defence – in front of a crowd of more than 8,000 boxing fans at the Odyssey Arena.

The 26-year-old from Tiger's Bay, says his fiancee, Christine Dorrian, from Poleglass – who he has a beautiful little daughter Carla with – isn't worried about the prospect of his face being cut or bruised.

"No, she's not, to be honest," he said. Other people seem more worried than Christine.

"She understands the game, she's a boxing fan, she was a boxing fan before she knew me. Fingers crossed there's no problems."

Irish boxing legend and Carl's mentor Barry McGuigan (right) told the Belfast Telegraph he was in the same boat before his wedding day to wife Sandra in 1981.

McGuigan had a bout in Belfast against Peter Eubank just days before he tied the knot and he ended up walking down the aisle with a big cut across his eye. "It's very similar to my own career," McGuigan said.

"I fought Chris Eubank's brother in a rematch in the Ulster Hall in 1981 and I was cut and I was married six days later."

Speaking yesterday at an open workout in Victoria Square, Belfast, Carl, who is unbeaten in his 16 fights to date, said he's looking forward to this weekend.

"I can't wait," he said.

"It's been a long time coming, February was the last time I fought. I'm looking forward to it, I've trained hard for it.

"It gets a bit boring at this stage, but I'm more than ready." Carl also explained he appreciates all the support he gets from boxing fans.

"The support I get is amazing," he said. "Even the turnout today is great.

"We've over 8,000 tickets sold for the fight, the biggest ever for a boxing event at the Odyssey.

"Right through the night there's good fights, so a lot of credit has to go to Cyclone Promotions."

Barry is confident the young sportsman will win on Saturday night.

"He has to win, there's no ifs, or buts, or maybes," he said. "He's at a crucial stage in his career. He has to win impressively."

BACKGROUND

Undefeated European, Commonwealth and IBF Inter-Continental super bantamweight champion Carl 'The Jackal' Frampton is one of Northern Ireland's best loved sports stars. Th e IBF super bantamweight world title eliminator between Carl and Jeremy Parodi of Toulon, France, takes place at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on Saturday in front of a crowd of more than 8,000 boxing fans. The fight, also a European title defence for Frampton, headlines a massive night for Belfast boxing.

Belfast Telegraph