All photos by Esther Lin
Carl Frampton made a successful U.S. debut with a come-from-behind unanimous decision victory over Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. at the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas.
Frampton, 28, successfully defended his 122-lb IBF title in the main event of the July 18 edition of PBC on CBS, but he would have to comeback from two surprising knockdowns in Round 1.
“I don’t know what happened. I just came out slow and it was a very soft canvas,” said Frampton, who perhaps was shaking off some nerves as he was fighting in foreign territory.
The U.K. native would eventually find his rhythm by using a quick jab to set up combinations.
Frampton had trouble making weight this week, so perhaps that’s why he had a tough time in the earlier rounds.
“It wasn’t the performance that I wanted. I don’t want to make excuses, but I took a little bit too much weight off the last couple of days.
Other fighters in and around the division include Leo Santa Cruz (who was ringside) and Abner Mares, but they’re headed towards an August clash at 126 pounds, while 122-pound kingpin Guillermo Rigondeaux looks headed toward a fight with Vasyl Lomachenko, also at 126 pounds.
Scott Quigg–who blasted former IBF champion Kiko Martinez in two rounds earlier today–is a bitter rival of Frampton’s and also a possible future opponent.
“We need to decide what I am going to do from here, whether I stay at this weight or go to featherweight. I don’t know,” concluded Frampton.
What do you think is next for Belfast’s “Jackal?”
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