A world boxing champion has signed up to write a ‘hard-hitting’ weekly column for a regional Sunday newspaper.

Carl Frampton, current IBF world super bantamweight title holder, will begin penning articles for Belfast’s Sunday Life from this week.

Frampton, a native of the city, has been given free rein by the paper to comment on all aspects of Northern Ireland and international sport.

Frampton, who has held his current titles since September last year, says he is “delighted” to be joining the Sunday Life team.

He told the paper: “I’m proud to be from Northern Ireland and Sunday Life gives me the opportunity, especially when I’m in training camp or in the States, to stay connected with everyone in Northern Ireland.

“I promise to be as hard hitting on the pages of Sunday Life as I am in the ring. It is a column not to be missed.”

Sunday Life sports editor Paul Ferguson added: “It’s a fantastic coup for Sunday Life to have World champion Carl Frampton join our team.

“We take great pride in bringing our readers only the very best in sports columnists. Carl will bring terrific insight, expert knowledge and wonderful humour to the sports pages of Sunday Life.

“An exceptional boxer, Carl, outside the ring is a terrific ambassador for Northern Ireland and a dedicated family man.

“Carl has a warm and infectious personality, a great sense of humour and is totally unassuming. Carl will be a great addition to our team.”