CARL FRAMPTON will have to go to “a war” in El Paso, Texas next month says his opponent Alejandro Gonzalez jnr.
Mexican Gonzalez will take on Belfast’s ‘Jackal’ who will put his IBF super-bantamweight title up for grabs at the Don Haskins Convention Centre on July 18 on a bill that also includes Julio Cesar Chavez junior’s super-middleweight rumble with Marcos Reyes.
The fight will be Frampton’s US debut, while Gonzalez has fought outside Mexico just once before and has a loss and two draws on his 28-fight record with 15 of his 25 wins coming inside the distance.
Gonzalez, ranked 13 by the IBF, will be taking a considerable step up in class against Frampton. He hasn’t fought at this level before and has been out of action since December because of injury. Add to that the facts that his last two fights were eight-rounders and that he has gone 10 rounds just once before and it’s obvious that he will be the underdog in the fight.
While it’s a new chapter for Frampton in unfamiliar surroundings he will look to win, and win impressively, to mark his rival in the States on a fight that will be broadcast live on free-to-air channel CBS.
However, Gonzalez made all the right noises when he looked ahead to the fight with Boxing News.
“As soon as the fight was signed, I told my father (former world champion Alejandro Gonzalez snr), this will not be a fight, it will be a war,” he said.
“He’s a great champion but I want that title. I know he’s not going to give it to me, this is going to be a pure war.
“I have been in the gym since December pretty much. I have been sparring.
“I don’t have to worry about being on weight – that’s another reason I signed for the fight even though I will not have boxed since last December – and all I need now is to get stronger and to pick up more experience in the gym.”
Frampton won his world title by out-pointing Kiko Martinez last year before defeating mandatory challenger Chris Avalos in his first defence in February.
Manager Barry McGuigan predicts that ‘the Jackal’ will be a hit with US fight fans.
“This is fantastic news for Carl Frampton. I believe Carl's all-action style will captivate the US fight fans,” he said.
“Frampton has all the ingredients needed to become a major star in the USA; he is an exceptional fighter with a brilliant personality who has a fanatical fan base in the UK.”
Frampton signalled his intent to make an impact in the USA by signing a deal to work with influential US boxing advisor Al Haymon.
Haymon has worked with many of the stars of the sport including Floyd Mayweather, Amir Khan, Adonis Stevenson, Adrien Broner, Robert Guerrero and will act as an advisor to Frampton, who will continue to be managed by International Boxing Hall of Famer McGuigan and promoted by Cyclone Promotions.
“Al Haymon has a formidable reputation in boxing and has been the catalyst to securing the biggest fights in recent years,” said Frampton.
“This is an exciting stage of my career after winning my world title, and my team and I know that this relationship with Al Haymon will help take my career to the next level. I am looking forward to it.”
