Carl Frampton was dropped twice in the first round but came down to win a 12-round unanimous decision over Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. to retain the IBF Jr. Featherweight title at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.
In round one, Gonzalez landed a jan that sent the champion to the canvas. Moments later, a right to the head put Frampton down for a second time. In round three, Gonzalez was docked a point for a low blow.
In round eleven, Gonzalez was docked another point for a low blow.
Frampton of Belfast, Northern Ireland won by scores of 115-109 twice and 116-108 and is now 21-0. Gonzales Jr. is now 25-2-2.
“I didn’t feel great in the first round. I got up from two flash knockdowns though and recovered well. The kid could punch very well,” said Frampton. “The ring canvas was very soft. I couldn’t get up on my toes and that’s my best attribute. I got up and showed courage. I came back and won most of the rounds and gave excitement.”
Frampton continued, “I wanted to win by knockout. It didn’t happen. I’m disappointed, but I’ll re-evaluate and move on; onwards and upwards. He hit me low so many times, but you’ve got to deal with that and carry on and that’s what I did.”
“I definitely won the fight, I was much more effective,” said Gonzalez. “I want a rematch and I’m happy to do it in his hometown. I’ll take whatever fights are best for me either at 118 or 122.”
“The ref overreacted to the low blows, I was just doing my body work,” Gonzalez continued. “I’m not a dirty fighter, I play by the rules and this was disappointing. He’s a good fighter but I’m the best he’s ever faced.”
Former world title challenger Chris Arreola and Fred Kassi fought to a majority draw in a Heavyweight bout.
The scores read 96-94 for Arreola and 95-95 twice. Arreola, 246 3/4 lbs of Riverside, CA is now is 36-4-1. Kassi, 230 lbs of Cameroon is 18-3-1.
“It was a good decision. It was just a tough fight,” said Arreola. “Fred came to fight and he’s a survivor. He held right, he moved right. He came here with a good strategy and he got a draw out of it.”
Arreola continued, “I know if I get Deontay (Wilder), I’d be in much better shape and a lot better prepared. Not that I wasn’t prepared for Kassi, but he came here with a good fight and was prepared.”
“I’m not happy with the decision,” said Kassi. “I feel that I won every round of the fight. I showed tonight I was the better fighter. I take nothing away from Chris. I’ve been his friend for years. People don’t know me, so I just wanted to show the world I could do it. I proved that I belong in the heavyweight division. I showed my heart. I‘ve been training hard for many years and I showed it tonight.”