Carl Frampton will face Raul Hirales for the vacant IBF Inter Continental super bantamweight title on May 26.

It is not quite the title Frampton wanted but both fighters put unbeaten records on the line and the Mexican represent the Belfast fighters toughest test to date as he provides the chief support to Carl Froch’s IBF super middleweight world title clash with Lucian Bute.

Frampton  is eyeing up a winter date with Kiko Martinez in Belfast and his manager Barry McGuigan believes the 28 year old Mexican, who boasts eight knock outs in his 16 wins, will prove a steeping stone to the title fights he craves.

“You cannot get tougher than an unbeaten Mexican prospect, it’s a great challenge and one Carl needs and is excited about,” said Frampton’s manager Barry McGuigan yesterday.

“Hirales has beaten three prospects already and has eight KOs on his record so we’re up against it but it’s a great opportunity for Carl on a huge global platform. We want to meet Kiko Martinez in Belfast in September and we’re moving on from Scott Quigg and Rendall Munroe now as we’re annoyed that they are fighting each other and not Carl.”

“We wanted a big step up in class and we’ve got it,” added Frampton’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “Hirales is a tough, unbeaten and highly rated Mexican and we hope he can provide a stern test for Carl. Victory here will set up a Kiko Martinez fight for September and from there we want to be in a position to challenge current IBF Champ Jeffrey Mathebula for the title.”