‘It needed to be someone that would test me’ – American Tyler McCreary confirmed as Frampton’s Vegas opponent

An opponent has finally be confirmed for Carl Frampton’s return to the ring.

Rumour and speculation had been rife throughout the month of September with former Frampton [26(15)-2(0)] sparring partner and former world champion, Isaac Dogboe, passing ‘The Jackal’ opponent baton to New York-based Puerto Rican Luis Orlando Del Valle.

However, an opponent has been officially confirmed as of today and the former two weight world champion will make his long-awaited return against Tyler McCreary [16(7)-0-1] in Las Vegas on November 30th in Las Vegas.

It was also confirmed the 32-year-old will make a move up in weight and will fight the unbeaten American in a ten-round super-featherweight [128lbs catchweight] bout at The Cosmopolitan in Sin City.

So in that regard it will be Frampton’s first fight at super feather, his first of 2019, his first since his IBF featherweight world title defeat to Josh Warrington, his first in America since his rematch with Leo Santa Cruz back in 2017 and his first as a Top Rank fighter.

“I’m delighted to be making a comeback after what’s been a horrible year for my career,” said Frampton.

The Belfast man was meant to compete against Emmanuel Dominguez in August only for a freak accident involving a pillar saw him pull out with a hand injury.

“I didn’t get the Top Rank deal off to an ideal start, but coming back in Vegas is great for me, especially against a really strong opponent,” he explains.

McCreary comes into the fight undefeated and whilst he hasn’t fought anyone of Frampton’s class just yet, he has been steadily moving his way up the ranks.

The Top Rank fighter certainly isn’t overlooking the challenge and believes he is getting the test he needs.

“It needed to be someone who would test me. McCreary is a quality opponent but if I want to be competing against the top guys in the world, which I believe I can, I need to be beating guys like him and doing it in style.”

The ESPN broadcast bill also includes the super-featherweight contest between former WBO featherweight world champ Oscar Valdez and Andres Gutierrez, the fighter famed in Belfast for pulling out of fight with Frampton after slipping in the shower.