Carl Frampton to fight Alejandro Gonzalez in US debut
IBF super-bantamweight champion Carl Frampton (20-0, 14 KOs) will defend his title against Mexican Alejandro Gonzalez Jr (25-1-2, 15 KOs) at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas on July 18.
It will be Frampton's first bout in the United States and his second world title defence.
"I want to become a star in the USA and this is my first step on that journey," said the unbeaten champion.
Frampton, 28, recently signed an advisory agreement with American Al Haymon to secure a series of major fights in the USA, although he continues to be managed by former world champion Barry McGuigan.
The Belfast boxer dethroned Spain's Kiko Martinez by unanimous decision last September before stopping American mandatory challenger Chris Avalos in the fifth round in February.
Gonzalez, 22, is tall and can punch but is untested against quality opposition. His father is the former WBC featherweight champion Alejandro Gonzalez Sr.
"Alejandro Gonzalez Jr 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," said Frampton. "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."
McGuigan said: "I believe Carl's all-action style will captivate the US fight fans. 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. Alejandro Gonzalez Jr is a hungry and dangerous young Mexican boxer who will be travelling to El Paso, Texas, to rip that belt from Frampton. This is going to be a cracking fight."