IBF super bantamweight champion Carl Frampton will be looking to impress on American soil in 9 days time when he defends his title against Mexico’s Alejandro Gonzalez Jr in Texas, in what will be both his first fight in the US as well his debut under new advisor Al Haymon and the Premier Boxing Champions brand.
Frampton has been one of British boxing’s best for a while now and was sizzling last time out in February stopping brash American challenger Chris Avalos inside 5 rounds in his home city of Belfast.
While he will not enjoy the monumental numbers that cheer him on in Northern Ireland, the fight is to be broadcast on terrestrial TV in the UK at prime time on ITV, so the majority of his loyal army can be there in spirit.
He told ESPN;
“It will be a different experience for me, boxing away from home but I’m still bringing a few hundred over with me.”
And being outnumbered by Mexican’s who are resident in El Paso, the Texas border town hosting the fight, is of no worry to “The Jackal” who trusts the Mexican fans know a good fighter when they see one;
“I’m sure he’ll have more (fans) than me – it’s not far from Mexico – but the Mexican boxing fans are knowledgeable and they know when they see a good fighter.”
“Look at how the Mexican fans have taken to Gennady Golovkin, they’re really behind him. I hope I can go over there and turn Gonzalez’s fans into my fans. I think I can do that, put on a good show and knock this guy out.”
“Everyone is dangerous at this level and he (Gonzalez) is a very dangerous fighter at this time in his career. His dad won the WBC title against Kevin Kelley in an upset (1995) and he believes he can win it off me. But he’s lost (once) and I haven’t.”
Frampton is also keen to play down any comparisons with manager Barry McGuigan, who dropped in own featherweight world title against underdog Steve Cruz in the blistering Las Vegas heat in 1986 via decision.
“It’s a completely different situation to when Barry went over there to fight Steve Cruz, because Barry’s fight was in the middle of the day outdoors but I’m fighting in an air conditioned arena.”
“Barry shouldn’t have fought in that heat in the middle of the day and he wouldn’t have allowed me do it.”
UK viewers can see the Frampton fight on July 18th, 9.45pm (BST) on ITV. Stateside viewers can tune in for the PBC card, broadcast in the afternoon, on CBS – check local listings.
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