By Terence Dooley
Carl Frampton’s U.S. debut will be shown live on terrestrial channel ITV here in the U.K.
The TV station confirmed the news earlier today.
Frampton defends his IBF Super bantamweight title against Alejandro Gonzalez Junior at the Don Haskins Centre, Texas on the 18th of July. It will be televised from 9.45pm UK time, with ITV4 carrying the undercard from 9pm. The fight will be shown on CBS in the U.S.
Frampton (20-0, 14 early) has told viewers not to underestimate his opponent.
“I am delighted to be once again defending my World Title live on ITV on the 18th of July against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr,” Frampton said in a statement. “It is brilliant news that this fight will be shown live on ITV at primetime in the UK and live on CBS in the USA.
“Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. is a young and dangerous Mexican challenger and I am expecting a tough fight. 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 UK and USA.”
The 28-year-old is managed by Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan, who believes his fighter is destined for greatness. “This is excellent news that Carl Frampton is defending his world title live on ITV at primetime in the UK.”
“Frampton has all the ingredients needed to become the leading figure in British and Irish boxing; he is a world-class boxer with a brilliant personality who has a fanatical fan base from all over the UK and Ireland. Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. is a hungry and dangerous young Mexican fighter who will be travelling to El Paso, Texas to rip that belt from Frampton. This is going to be a cracking contest for the millions of fans tuning in on both sides of the Atlantic.”
“We're delighted to be on board for the US debut of such an exciting young British sporting talent and we look forward to bringing our viewers another evening of top class boxing action,” added Niall Sloane, ITV’s Director of Sport.
Gonzalez (25-1-2, 15 KOs) has pedigree, his father won the WBC featherweight belt by beating Kevin Kelly in Texas in 1995. The 22-year-old Mexican has won three in a row since losing to Juan Alberto Rosas (L TD 9) in April 2014 and he will have ample crowd support behind him for his first world title tilt.
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