Former two division world champion Carl Frampton (23-1, 14 KOs) received some heat after announcing Horacio Garcia (33-3) as his next opponent.

That fight is scheduled for November 18 at SSE Arena in Belfast.

Frampton has been out of the ring since January, when he suffered the first defeat of his career in his rematch with Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas.

Frampton has heard the anger from critics and responded to them in his Sunday Life column.

He explained that an interim-fight was needed when considering that he's been inactive and also hired a new trainer, Jamie Moore, after parting ways with Shane McGuigan. And he also has a new promoter in Frank Warren.

"Some have criticised the choice of Garcia as my next opponent but people have to understand that by the time the fight happens I will have been out of the ring for ten months and on top of that there has been a lot of things going on in the background," Frampton wrote. "I'm with a new coach and a new team, this all takes time to bed in."

"It's certainly not going to be a one-round demolition job The guy is tough and for him it's the chance of a lifetime to make a big breakthrough. For me it's about getting back to winning ways and making a statement that I'm ready to look ahead to 2018 for some big fights and for my promoter Frank Warren to see that I am ready to go for a world title shot. I know some may think there will be ring rust but I haven't been aware of any in the gym."

"If I do become the first guy to stop Garcia then that would be a big bonus and send a message to the rest of the featherweights that I'm really back and gunning for the top men."

Frampton believes a potential fight with WBA 'regular' featherweight champion Abner Mares would be a big deal in 2018 - provided that Mares wins this weekend against Andre Guttierez. That would also depend on whether or not Mares would reach a deal for a rematch with Santa Cruz in March.

"A fight between myself and Mares would be very exciting for the fans next year. It's one of those clashes that doesn't need a belt, the fight sells itself so that could be a possibility for me, but there are plenty of options as long as I come through on November 18," Frampton said.