Josh Warrington will defend his IBF world featherweight title against Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena on December 22.
The fight was confirmed by promoter Frank Warren who took to social media to say “It’s on! What a fight!”
The 27-year-old won the title at Elland Road in May beating Lee Selby via a split decision.
Leeds-born Warrington’s first defence of his crown comes against 31-year-old Frampton who beat Luke Jackson at Windsor Park in August to retain the WBO interim featherweight crown.
Frampton held the IBF world super bantamweight from 2014-2016 while Warrington maintains a perfect 27-0 record.
The Manchester Arena ensures something of a neutral venue for the to fighters who both brought in more than 20,000 to stadiums in their home cities last time out.
While it’s a short trip across The Pennines for Warrington fans, Frampton’s Belfast following will have happy memories of their last trip to Manchester back in 2016 when their man defeated Scott Quigg in an IBF-WBA 122lbs unification on Sky Box Office.
31-year-old Frampton, who will be looking to claim his fourth world title belt, last fought at Windsor Park in August where he dominated Aussie Luke Jackson.
Warrington, who derailed plans of a Selby v Frampton clash at Windsor with his upset world title win, joined ‘The Jackal’ in the ring afterwards.
Frampton, who also defeated Nonito Donaire back in April, will be fighting more than twice in a calendar year for the first time since 2012 as he looks to finish his career with a flourish under trainer Jamie Moore.
A return to World champion status for Frampton would pave the way for a return to America in 2019 in a position of bargaining power as he chases big fights with the likes of WBO champ Oscar Valdez and, mostly, a trilogy fight with WBA titleholder Leo Santa Cruz.
