Carl Frampton's bout with world featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz has been set for July 30 in New York.
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Carl Frampton-Leo Santa Cruz to fight on July 30
Rory McIlroy will be among the fans at the Barclays Center on July 30 when Carl Frampton fights Leo Santa Cruz.
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It was confirmed this month that Frampton will challenge the Mexican for his WBA Super World featherweight belt.
And it was announced on Thursday that the duo will go head-to-head at the Barclays Center, with Frampton aiming to become a two-weight world champion.
Frampton defeated long-time rival Scott Quigg to add the WBA super-bantamweight title to his IBF belt in February.
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The Northern Irishman, unbeaten in 22 professional fights, was stripped of the WBA belt for failing to fight mandatory challenger Guillermo Rigondeaux, and he will also forfeit the IBF title to focus on the step up in weight.
"This is the fight I wanted - me and my team have been chasing it for a long, long time," Frampton said.
"I'm 100 per cent confident that the belt will be coming home to Belfast. It is the one my manager Barry McGuigan held 30 years ago.
"Santa Cruz is a strong and aggressive undefeated champion but his style is made for me.
"I would like to say a huge thank you to the IBF for their professionalism during my time as their super bantamweight champion.
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"I have been a proud IBF world champion for nearly two years and I one day hope to once again become an IBF champion."
Santa Cruz represents a tough challenge for Frampton, with the Mexican - unbeaten in 33 professional bouts - a three-weight world champion.
Frampton's countryman Rory McIlroy, a four-time golf major champion, has already signalled his intention to support him in person.
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