Carl Frampton set for IBF world title fight with Kiko Martinez

Carl Frampton will fight for the IBF super-bantamweight world title against current champion Kiko Martinez in Belfast on 6 September.

Frampton defeated the Spaniard in his home city of Belfast last year to win the European super-bantamweight title.

However, Martinez went on to win the IBF world title later in the year and he will defend the belt in September, with the venue yet to be confirmed.

Frampton has won all 18 of his professional fights.

The 27-year-old stopped Martinez in the ninth round of their contest at the Odyssey Arena 16 months ago.

Frampton withstood a strong challenge from the Spaniard before flooring him late in the fight.

It was a first knock-out defeat for Martinez, who won the IBF title by defeating Jonathan Romero six months later before successful defences against Jeffrey Mathebula and Japan's Hozumi Hasegawa.

The location for the fight has yet to be announced but it is certain to be a Belfast venue.

Promoter Barry McGuigan was not in a position to confirm the venue at Wednesday's press briefing but did state that Ravenhill Stadium and indoor venues the Odyssey Arena and the King's Hall were not being considered for the bout.

McGuigan added that the two indoor venues would be "too small" for the expected 20,000 spectators and that will lead to speculation that the fight may take place in the Balmoral Showgrounds close to the King's Hall.

Frampton was in sparkling form in his last fight, securing a second-round knock-out win over Hugo Cazares in a WBC title eliminator in Belfast in April.

Frampton said after the victory that he wanted to face WBC champion Leo Santa Cruz, but he will have to overcome Martinez before a possible showdown with the Mexican.

However, the Belfast man is convinced that he will earn a repeat knockout win over the Spaniard.

"He's a slightly better fighter than the last time but I'm a much better fighter than when I fought him," added Frampton.

"The last time, I out-boxed him, then I out-fought him and then I knocked him out. It's going to be the same result this time and maybe even earlier."

Frampton's prediction of an even quicker finish led to McGuigan cautioning his protege about making "bold" pronouncements.

However, the boxing legend is convinced that his fighter will match his feat of becoming a world champion as he predicted another "nightmare evening" in Belfast for the IBF champion.

"Kiko Martinez felt he had an off-night when he fought Carl in February 2013 but we are going to prove that he didn't," added McGuigan.

Frampton was scheduled to travel to his training base of Battersea in London on Wednesday evening to begin his preparations in earnest for the world title fight.