Carl Frampton v Nonito Donaire

[Master]

Nonito Donaire named as Carl Frampton's opponent for April fight.

Carl Frampton will fight former four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire in Belfast on 7 April.

The 35-year-old Filipino is expected to provide tough opposition for Frampton, having held seven world titles in a career that has lasted 17 years.

Featherweight Frampton won on points in his comeback fight against Horacio Garcia on 18 November after being out of the ring for 10 months.

Frampton, 30, hopes to challenge for a world belt at Windsor Park next summer.

The former two-weight world champion lost his WBA world title to Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas at the end of January.

Frampton then split with Barry McGuigan's Cyclone Promotions management company in the summer.

With IBF featherweight Lee Selby poised to defend his title against Josh Warrington, another victory would provide Frampton with the perfect platform to put himself in the mix for a title shot against the winner of that contest.

The SSE Arena is the likely venue for the Frampton-Donaire fight.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/42443488

[powerpuncher]

Decent fight. Donaire is still a good fighter even though he isn’t nearly what he used to be.

[Alpha]

Decent fight. Donaire is still a good fighter even though he isn’t nearly what he used to be.

Yea he never really had much success at 126. I thought the Magdaleno fight was very close.

[Fenster]

Donaire is a bit jaded and small, however, he's a great name for anyones record. And certianly no gimme, pushover. That left hand is still deadly lethal. Plus it's not as though Frampton is tip top, what with his recent performances and contemplation of getting out the pipe and slippers. Great matchup.

[Master]

Carl Frampton: World title up for grabs in Donaire fight

Carl Frampton and Nonito Donaire will be fighting for the WBO interim featherweight world title in their Belfast contest next month.

Thursday's announcement adds extra spice to the showdown between Belfast boxer Frampton and former four-weight world champion Donaire.

"A huge night of boxing just got even bigger," said former two-weight world champion Frampton.

"It's great news and it adds a whole lot more razzmatazz to the event."

The 35-year-old Filipino is expected to provide tough opposition for Frampton, having held seven world titles in a career that has lasted 17 years.

Frampton won on points in his comeback fight with Horacio Garcia in November and returns to the SSE Arena ring against Donaire on 21 April.

"I was sure that the winner of this bout was going to go on to fight for a world title in their next contest and having an interim world title on the line all but confirms that," added the 31-year-old.

"Oscar Valdez must face the interim champion when he is ready and that's a big incentive for myself and Donaire.

"The Valdez fight is very appealing to me and obviously the winner of Selby v Warrington is also equally as appealing.

"I think the Valdez fight would get a lot more attention on both sides of the globe rather than just in the UK.

"The winner of Selby v Warrington would be a big fight in the UK but a fight with Valdez would be a huge fight worldwide."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/43499006

[Kirkland Laing]

Frank does it again with an interim WBO title. God bless him.

[Master]

Frank does it again with an interim WBO title. God bless him.

He has always had them in his pocket.

[Spicoli]

Any word of this being aired in the States? Definitely a bridge too far for Donaire but style at least should keep in entertaining. Goes to show how empty trinkets are now as I totally forgot Donaire was a 4 division champ . Be nice to see Tete v Narvaez!