Carl Frampton’s next opponent revealed
The opponent for Carl Frampton‘s Belfast homecoming fight has revealed himself.
‘The Jackal’ returns to the Titanic City after almost two and a half years on the road and he will face ‘The Jaguar.’
Frampton’s opponent for the July 29th clash looks to be Mexican fighter Andres Gutierrez [35(25)-1(0)-1].
The Querétaro boxer confirmed that he will face Frampton [23(14)-1(0)] in an interview with his local newspaper Noticias de Querétaro.
The 23 year old said that “I know I have a great opportunity and I will not waste it. He had wanted this from a long time ago.”
“I’m very happy for this news they gave me. I know it will be very difficult, but I have the character to prevail. ”
“I tell all the Querétanos that I’m not going to let them down that I’m going to put soul, life, and heart and I will fight for what I most want, that’s why I’ll prevail.”
‘Jaguarcito’ turned pro aged just 15, and would go on a long unbeaten run in which he would pick up four rankings titles.
Notable names on his record include Rey Perez and former world title challengers Mario Macias and Daniel Diaz.
His only loss came last Summer in the fourth defence of his WBC Silver featherweight belt where he would miss weight and lose a majority decision to former super flyweight champ Cristian Mijares.
Gutierrez has fought just twice outside his native Mexico, outpointing Carlos Valcarcel over six on the Canelo-Lopez undercard in Vegas way back in 2012 – a card which also featured an IBF bantamweight title fight between Eric Morel and former Frampton opponent Leo Santa Cruz – and stopping Salvador Sanchez in the fifth on the Canelo-Trout undercard in Texas in 2013.
The fight is believed to be an eliminator for the WBC title – although it is not specified whether it is for the featherweight belt held by Gary Russell Jr or the super featherweight belt held by Miguel Berchelt. As Gutierrez is ranked #10 at featherweight, with Frampton at #1, it is assumed to be a 126lbs eliminator.
The fight for Frampton will be his first back since losing the WBA featherweight title to Leo Santa Cruz in a rematch back in January. The Tigers Bay star had hoped to entice Santa Cruz or IBF champion Lee Selby to Belfast, among others, but found a lack of opponents willing to travel.
LISTEN: Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill speak to Luke Keeler and Paddy Barnes on Episode 6 of The Irish Boxing Show:
