Carl Frampton’s next title defence is going to be in the U.S

Belfast man aiming high

America will get a little taste of Carl Frampton next month when the Irishman makes his US debut in the second defence of his IBF super-bantamweight title It's been revealed this evening that Frampton will take on Mexican Alejandro Gonzalez Junior in El Paso, Texas on 18 July. The 28-year old champion has long been hopeful of making an impression on the other side of the Atlantic, but will face a massive test against a fighter who has won 22 of his 25 fights so far. The Belfast man is managed by Barry McGuigan, but has recently signed up to be part of the stable of fighters promoted by Al Haymon. Frampton's opponent is only 22 years-of-age and his father was a former world champion in the 1990's when beating Kevin Kelley to win the WBC featherweight title. The 28-year-old is hoping a win can open doors to more lucrative fights across the US

"I want to become a star in the USA and this is my first step on that journey". "Alejandro Gonzalez Junior is a dangerous Mexican challenger but he has never fought anyone like me and on the 18th of July he is in for a big, big shock. "I feel I am the best super-bantamweight in the world and I am excited to box in front of a huge television audience in the USA."

H/t to BBC