JAMIE CONLAN WILL fight Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF World super-flyweight title on 18 November, on a Belfast card which will also see the long-awaited ring return of former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton.
The Falls Road brawler [19-0, 11KOs], brother of former Irish Olympian Michael, will face the Pinoy โPretty Boyโ at the SSE Arena in his and Framptonโs hometown.
Fondly referred to by fans as โThe Irish Gattiโ, but perhaps more commonly known by his chosen alias, โThe Mexicanโ, Conlanโs all-out action style has seen him emerge from three fight of the year contenders since a compelling up-and-down affair versus Junior Granados at Dublinโs National Stadium in 2015.
His back-and-forth battle with Anthony Nelson at Londonโs Copperbox Arena in April of last year, during which Conlan was once more forced to peel himself off the canvas before stopping the South Shields slugger with a ferocious body shot, would later be awarded British Fight of the Year.
Champion Ancajas [27-1-1, 18KOs], whoโll make the third defence of his IBF strap in Conlanโs back yard, last fought in July, stopping Japanโs Teiru Kinoshita on the undercard of Jeff Hornโs world title upset over Manny Pacquiao at Brisbaneโs Suncorp Stadium. Conlanโs brother, Michael, also fought on the bill.
The โPretty Boyโ from the Philippines won the belt in a unanimous points triumph over Puerto Ricoโs wonderfully named McJoe Arroyo in his home country this time last year.
The 25-year-old southpawโs sole defeat arrived in 2012, when compatriot Mark Anthony Geraldo edged him on a majority decision.
This will be Conlanโs first world title shot having spent the past two years climbing the various rankings in barn-burning fashion.
BREAKING: @RealCFrampton to return to Belfast on Double World Title show Nov 18th featuring Conlan IBF World Title fight & Tete #Reborn pic.twitter.com/DcRbe96U07
โ Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) September 27, 2017
Frampton, meanwhile, who recently inked with Frank Warren, will step through the ropes for the first time since a narrow defeat to Leo Santa Cruz in January. His opponent is thus far unconfirmed.
Framptonโs recent homecoming bout with Andres Gutierrez was cancelled when the Mexican โJaguaritoโ slipped in the shower, suffering facial injuries.
โThe Jackalโ is likely to return to Belfast once more next summer, with a dream Windsor Park date already booked by Warren.
A bumper 18 November bill will also feature three-time Irish Olympian Paddy Barnes as well as WBA World bantamweight champion Zolani Tete. Barnes will first fight in Edinburgh on 6 October.
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
Iโm going to take a tenner on van aert for the green Jersey
@Andrew Tuite: could be the big surprise of the tour. what odds would you get?
@Andrew Tuite: Heโll be working for Groenewegenโs leadout which diminishes his chances. Also his first GTโฆbut heโs a huge talent, bigger surprises have happenedโฆ
@Brendan Heery: nothing online as yet.