Carl Frampton confident he can beat Mexican challenger Gonzalez

Belfast's Carl Frampton is confident he can see off Mexican challenger Alejandro Gonzalez Jr as he defends his IBF title in El Paso on Saturday.

"First and foremost I want to win but I'd be disappointed not to knock this guy out," said the 28-year-old.

"There is always pressure on me but I feel I have the power to take out any super-bantamweight in the world.

"He's tall and he's rangy and he comes from good pedigree but I have got everything and more to beat him."

Gonzalez Jr, 22, has won 22 out of his 25 fights, only one of which has taken place outside Mexico.

The Northern Irishman, unbeaten in 20 bouts, is making his first appearance in the United States and has been surprised by the attention he has been receiving in the run-up to the fight.

"It's a big change and the media attention is more than I expected but it's another fight and a ring is a ring.

"I'm bringing a few fans over. They'll be outnumbered but they'll be heard. It's going to be a good night and it's up to me to put on a good performance.

"Some people see Gonzalez as an underdog but I don't see it like that. I see him as another obstacle standing in my way. I'll have to be at my best to beat him."

Frampton, who made a successful first defence of his crown against American Chris Avalos in February, is still getting accustomed to the high temperatures in Texas, but says that the heat has its advantages.

"I'm usually covered in plastics and sweating it out by now but sometimes it is 100 degrees at the gym we train in and at the minute I'm making the weight fairly easy," explained the defending champion.

Meanwhile, his opponent admits that he has "made mistakes in the past" but adds confidently that "you will see a different fighter" on Saturday.

"I love it when everything is against me as the pressure is on him. The only time I was made favourite, I lost," said Gonzalez.