Carl Frampton title defence set for Belfast in early 2015

Nothing like a spot of boxing to spice up Lent

Carl Frampton will defend his IBF world title in Belfast next February or March, his team at Cyclone Promotions have announced. 'The Jackal' will face mandatory challenger Chris Avalos. The Belfast native had been targeting a WBA unification joust with Scott Quigg - with Manchester a likely destination - but Avalos must be dealt with first. Eddie Hearn promotes Avalos and Quigg but had suggested that and fight between the WBA champ and Frampton should be a two-fight event. However, Frampton told UTV, 'I think there's a good possibility of that happening, what would be the point in fighting him twice?' Frampton claimed the IBF belt back in September when he defeated Kiko Martinez on points at Titanic Belfast. The title defence against Avalos was part of the deal initially signed for the Martinez bout. Frampton won his coveted title from Spaniard Kiko Martínez in front of a vocal 16,000-strong home crowd at Titanic Belfast back in September. Further details about Frampton-Avalos will be revealed at a press conference next week.