Sport

Carl Frampton expected to face Puerto Rican Del Valle in Las Vegas

Carl Frampton hammers Leo Santa Cruz with a right hand during his only previous fight in Las Vegas
Carl Frampton hammers Leo Santa Cruz with a right hand during his only previous fight in Las Vegas Carl Frampton hammers Leo Santa Cruz with a right hand during his only previous fight in Las Vegas

CARL Frampton is expected to face experienced New York-based Puerto Rican Luis Orlando Del Valle at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas on November 30.

The Irish News understands that, subject to clearance from the Nevada Boxing Commission, Del Valle (25-3) will be confirmed as the replacement opponent for Isaac Dogboe after the Londoner declined the opportunity to take on ‘the Jackal’.

Del Valle (25-3) hasn’t campaigned at Frampton’s level but he has mixed in some good company and two of his three losses came in decision defeats against former bantamweight champion Vic Darchinyan and, in 2016, a WBC Youth World Super-Bantamweight challenge against Diego De La Hoya.

A broken hand in that fight kept him out of the ring for a year but he has returned with three stoppage wins in-a-row to bring his KO rate to an impressive 19 in 28 fights.

It is understood that the Frampton-De Valle fight will be at a catch-weight 9st 2lbs (midway between the featherweight and super-featherweight limits) and that could be an indication that Frampton intends to step up to challenge for a super-feather world title next year.

WBO super-featherweight champ Jamel Herring, like Frampton signed with US promoters Top Rank, has already said it would be a “privilege and great honour” to take on the two-weight world champion.

“I’m a fan of Carl’s, always respected him, and know he’s a gentleman as well,” Herring told The Irish News.

“If we’re being honest, I was blown away when he mentioned my name as a potential opponent because this is a guy who’s a two-division world champion and has also been in big fights.”