Jono Carroll target Tevin Farmer to squeeze in second voluntary defence before mandatory

An IBF title shot, but not necessarily Tevin Farmer, awaits Jono Carroll [16(3)-0] if he comes through his December 8th world title final eliminator unscathed.

The popular Dub fights Frenchman Guillaume Frenois [46(12)-1(0)] for IBF super featherweight mandatory status on the undercard of Kell Brook’s return to Sheffield. 

Victory a few weeks before Christmas will see ‘King Kong’ handed the present of a New Year title shot.

Carroll’s Matchroom stable mate Tevin Farmer [27(6)-4(2)-1], who made a first successful defence against Belfast’s James Tennyson in last month, is the current custodian of the world title and seemed certain to be the man the southpaw was fighting to face.

However, ‘The American Idol’ now has a December test of his own to pass.

The IBF super featherweight champ will make his third appearance in just over four months against Costa Rican Francisco Fonseca on the December 15th Canelo Alvarez v Rocky Fielding undercard, the first DAZN ‘blockbuster’ show. 

So in that respect Carroll and Frenois will be fighting for the right to fight the winner of that American-hosted card.

Farmer had called to face Carroll in a mandatory defence on that date but this was ruled out when Frenois, who is ranked ahead of the Irishman, insisted on their final eliminator going ahead.

Such is the timings however, Farmer will be afforded the chance to make another voluntary defence and will be a big favourite going into the New York clash.

Fonseca [22(16)-1(1)-1] is known for his IBF title challenge of Gervonta Davis on the Mayweather-McGregor undercard in Las Vegas last year.

Here, he suffered a somewhat controversial eighth-round stoppage defeat to the divisive American and has since scored three straight knockouts over bottom-tier opposition.

Should Fonseca cause a massive upset it would not delay Carroll’s world title hopes as a mandatory defence will be due.

Also on the undercard of Canelo’s DAZN debut will be a clash between David Lemieux, who recently defeated Spike O’Sullivan, and former Eamonn O’Kane foe Tureano Johnson.

An appearance for Ireland’s WBA-IBF lightweight champion Katie Taylor has also been mooted and news of her next move is expected in the coming days.