Crocker-Donovan: Carl Frampton reflects on his famous night at Windsor Park

For the fans that packed into Windsor Park, it was not just the sight of Frampton to get excited about as that night also saw the return of Tyson Fury in the second fight of his comeback.

The 10 rounds against the overmatched Francesco Pianeta were entirely forgettable, but the same couldn’t be said for what preceded it.

Then WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was in attendance to run his eye over Fury, whom he would fight next in the first of their memorable trilogy that December.

At Friday’s weigh-in at the Europa Hotel, the American was in full hype mode, yelling ‘Bomb Squad’ – in reference to his ‘Bronze Bomber’ ring moniker – completely oblivious of his surroundings as the hotel once held the unenviable status as Europe’s most bombed hotel during The Troubles.

If this raised eyebrows, what would follow that evening would enter either infamy or folklore.

Wilder and middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders got involved in an altercation in a city restaurant which culminated in Saunders throwing chicken at the heavyweight before being chased through the Belfast streets by an infuriated Wilder in front of stunned onlookers.

Although the heavyweight hoopla could have overshadowed Frampton on his big night, that added distraction served as a blessing for the Belfast man.

“Fight week was special,” Frampton recalls.

“The fact Fury was on the undercard, I quite liked, as it took a bit of the limelight off me in terms of media obligations, so it wasn’t as hectic for me. It was still my show and it was always selling out regardless.

“Fury’s fight wasn’t the most exciting in the world, but I can say the heavyweight of the time and former unified champion were on my undercard.

“Wilder came into the changing room to wish me well and I said ‘I’ll do my best’, trying not to sound too brash, but he started shouting at me ‘you’ve got to believe in yourself, baby’ and gave it a big ‘Bomb Squad’ before he left, but he’s a nice big lad.”