CARL Frampton has set himself a Puma-style puzzle to solve as he seeks a 17th straight win after signing to defend his IBF inter-continental title against Argentina's world top 15-rated Latino kingpin, Fabian Oscar Orozco, on July 20 at Wembley Arena.
Belfast's undefeated European super-bantamweight champion is looking at the 27-year-old Orozco, a rangy orthodox counter-puncher with a 20-2-2 slate, seven wins inside the distance, as a potential world title deal make-or-break fight.
"I am not overlooking this guy. Every fight is important," Frampton stressed, adding: "One slip-up and you are right to the back of the queue. You could easily take your eye off the ball and look further down the line, but that is not me.
"World title fights are there in the back of my mind but I am focused on Fabian Orozco and nothing else. Any sort of slip-up could set me back two years but I have been training 14 or 15 weeks, I am really fit and I am ready to go."
Frampton is close to landing a challenge at one of the big four, the IBF's Jonathan Romero appearing top of the wanted list, perhaps as early as September-October in Belfast. This rising Argentine stands between him and that goal and Frampton expects a test, but the result he's after too.
"Orozco likes to get involved in tear-ups. He always comes to fight and I am expecting it to be a tough night's work," said the 16-0 'Jackal' via a conference call from London yesterday.
"He is highly-ranked with the IBF (14), is the Latino IBF champion, so this will do me good with keeping my high IBF ranking. Styles make fights. He seems to be a guy that likes to stand and trade and that will suit me. I think it will be exciting, while it lasts."
Orozco has a fight lined up for June 28, defending the IBF Latino Championship in Sante Fe against southpaw Julian Aristule (22-4), before Frampton risks his IBF six rating against him, depending on Orozco not slipping up or picking up an injury next week.
Frampton accepts he has much more to lose than the Argentine, saying: "I definitely do, but I don't want to be taking easy fights that don't benefit me, so I definitely have more to lose than this guy.
"He is coming here to win. He's got big backing in Argentina and thinks he can come over here and upset the applecart. That brings more pressure but I perform best when there's pressure on me."
The Wembley gig represents Frampton's first fight in association with Frank Warren Promotions and boxing's expanding subscription channel BoxNation and first of four live TV fights, with one of the next three set to be held at the Odyssey Arena, possibly the one after July a World Championship headliner.
Puma prospect Orozco poses a different set of problems to work out compared to Kiko Martinez as the Argentine prefers to box centre ring, work long left jabs with an eye on lasering in fast backhand rights.
Frampton said: "He is taller (than Martinez), has a nice tight defence, tries to hold the centre of the ring, seems to counter quite well, blocks a lot on his gloves and tries to counter your shots. He can dig a bit and has stopped four of his last five.
"So, it's not going to be an easy fight. That is what I want. I stated I did not want to take a massive step back from Kiko Martinez. I think this fight is definitely going to benefit my career."
Tickets from £40 are available from Wembley Arena on 0844 815 0815 or wembleyarena.co.uk or watch live on BoxNation, join at www.boxnation.com.