Carl Frampton hopes a new mural depicting the former world champion boxer can inspire young people to take up the sport.
'The Jackal' is joined by fellow fight legend Katie Taylor on the new artwork at Antrim Boxing Club.
The mural on Durnish Road was done by artist Visual Waste (aka Dean Kane) and was jointly funded through the Housing Executive’s community involvement grant and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (ANBC).
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It aims to promote diversity within the sport and raising aspirations within the Springfarm and wider community.
Former two-weight world champion Frampton said: “I’m delighted to be featured in this mural by Visual Waste and hope it can inspire young people in Antrim and beyond to get involved in sport.
"Growing up in Tiger’s Bay, boxing kept me out of trouble. I have no doubt things could have been very different for me if it wasn’t for boxing.
"Getting involved in sport can change your life and I’d urge anyone to get involved. Well done to the Housing Executive and ANBC for funding this project.”
Artist Kane, who braved the freezing temperatures to deliver the project on schedule, added: “This was a challenging piece due to the cold weather, the paint doesn’t always adhere well in these conditions but we got there in the end.
“I’m delighted with how it turned out and pleased to be part of this project which helps promote sport in the local community. Thanks to funding from our partners for helping to make it possible.”
Housing Executive Good Relations Officer Stephen Gamble believes the artwork encourages young people to follow in the footsteps of their sporting heroes.
“Dean’s artwork has improved the area and it’s great to see two heroes of sport featured on the wall," he said.
“We are proud to have been involved with helping Antrim Boxing Club and the local community and hope that this mural gives young people in the area something positive to aspire to when they see Carl and Katie up there.”
An Antrim Boxing Club spokesperson added: “Antrim Boxing Club, in conjunction with the Springfarm community, would like to thank our funding partners, the Housing Executive, the Executive Office, T:BUC, and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, for helping to deliver this fantastic project which is part of ongoing environmental improvements within the community.
“We also wish to thank Visual Waste's Dean Kane for his imagination and hard work in bringing this design to life.
“ Carl Frampton and Katie Taylor are iconic boxers within Irish boxing and represent aspirations and dreams for young people who wish to pursue sport as a career. Their success is the stuff of dreams.”
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