LAS VEGAS (Nov. 27, 2019) — Four days before they let their fists fly at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, former two-weight world champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton and former featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez paid a surprise holiday visit to Opportunity Village, a nonprofit serving Southern Nevadans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Frampton and Valdez toured the campus Tuesday morning, held a meet-and-greet with Opportunity Village clients, and visited the renowned and newly renovated Magical Forest.

In separate 10-round super featherweight bouts, Valdez will make his division debut against former world title challenger Andres Gutierrez, while Frampton will battle the unbeaten American Tyler McCreary (ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).

Frampton (26-2, 15 KOs) is coming off nearly a one-year absence from the ring, as his planned August comeback bout was postponed after a freak accident at the fight hotel left him with a broken hand. Valdez (26-0, 20 KOs) made six defenses of his WBO featherweight world title before moving up to seek challenges against the likes of Frampton and WBC world champion Miguel Berchelt.

This is what Valdez and Frampton had to say about their upcoming bouts and their visit to Opportunity Village.

Oscar Valdez

On moving up to 130

“Making weight won’t be as difficult for me at 130 pounds. It won’t be easy, but not as hard as it was when I was fighting at 126. I have more energy in the gym and I feel healthy, which is the most important thing. You’ll see the difference in my fight Saturday against Andres Gutierrez.”

“I’ve been fighting at 126 my whole career, so it’s a long time coming. My last camps were more about cutting weight rather than training. It wasn’t healthy for me. I wasn’t eating much two, three days before the weigh-ins, so now I am in a much healthier position.”

On the future

“I want to fight Miguel Berchelt. Listen, there’s no personal beef there, but I feel like he’s the top guy at 130 pounds. I want to fight the best, and Berchelt is the best. I’m only focused on Gutierrez for now, but I also visualize the future.”

On Saturday’s fight

“Fans know I always give 100 percent in the ring, so you can expect a great battle on Saturday night. Andres Gutierrez is a tough guy who cannot be overlooked.”

On the visit to Opportunity Village

“Seeing this makes everyone want to be a better person and try and help our loved ones. If we can, why not support the great people at Opportunity Village? I thank them for their hospitality.”

Carl Frampton

On the injury that postponed his August fight

“I was upset at the time. I felt like a whole camp had been wasted, time away from my family had been wasted. Look, you just have to deal with it and move on and kind of try and forget about it and move on. I’m looking forward to the fight. By the time the fight comes around, it will be {nearly} a year since I’ve been in the ring.”

On McCreary

“McCreary is a good, hungry, young, undefeated kid, and this is his big chance. If he beats me, I’m pretty sure in his next fight he’ll fight for a world title. It’s not going to happen. I’ve prepared very hard for this fight. I’ve prepared like I’m an underdog, and I am going in to put on a show. To be honest, I want to win this fight, but I want to knock this kid out.”

On his future plans

“I’ve had some huge fights in my career. No matter who the opponent is, it’s always going to be the biggest fight because of the situation I’m in now. It’s a must-win. I have to win this fight to fight a champion in my next fight. I want to fight for a world title in my next fight, so I must beat Tyler McCreary.”

“The plan is to become a three-weight world champion. That’s my goal. Ireland has a rich history in boxing champions. We’ve produced so many great fighters — and we’re still doing it — but to be the guy on top and be the first and only guy to win three titles in three different divisions, it would mean the world to me. I want nothing more than my kids to be proud of me and say that their dad is a three-weight world champion.”

On the visit to Opportunity Village

“Many of us have loved ones who may not be as able-bodied as we are. This facility is fantastic. It was great to take a look around see all of the amazing work they do. You should give back to the community when you are in a position to do it.”

ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Oscar Valdez vs. Andres Gutierrez, 10 rounds, super featherweight

Carl Frampton vs. Tyler McCreary, 10 rounds, super featherweight

ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT

Carlos Adames vs. Patrick Teixeira, 12 rounds, interim WBO junior middleweight world title

Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. William Silva, 10 rounds, Barboza’s Jr. NABF super lightweight title

Adam Lopez vs. Luis Coria, 10 rounds, Lopez’s Jr. NABF featherweight title

Guido Vianello vs. Colby Madison, 6 rounds, heavyweight

Andy Hiraoka vs. Rogelio Casarez, 8 rounds, super lightweight

Brian Mendoza vs. Larry Gomez, 8 rounds, welterweight

Swing Bouts

Xander Zayas vs. Virgel Windfield, 4 rounds, welterweight

Jared Anderson vs. Stephen Kirnon, 4 rounds, heavyweight

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Queensberry Promotions and MTK Global, tickets priced at $100, $85, $65, $45 and $20 (general admission) are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000.

Use the hashtags #ValdezGutierrez and #FramptonMcCreary to join the conversation on social media.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Top Rank on ESPN returns to Las Vegas, the Boxing Capital of the World, this Saturday, November 30 for a Thanksgiving Weekend super featherweight doubleheader at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.  Former featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez makes his long-awaited super featherweight debut in a 10-rounder against former world title challenger Andres “Jaguarcito” Gutierrez in the main event.  

The co-feature of the evening will see the fighting pride of Belfast, former two-division world champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton, take on the unbeaten Tyler “The Golden Child” McCreary in a 10-round super featherweight contest.  

Valdez-Gutierrez and Frampton-McCreary will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, starting at 10 p.m. ET (undercards beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET). The undercards will feature junior middleweight contenders Carlos Adames and Patrick Teixeira for the WBO interim title.  

Calling the action will be Bernardo Osuna (play-by-play), former two-division world titleholder Timothy Bradley Jr. (analyst) and former pound-for-pound #1, two-division world titleholder and 2004?Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward (analyst).   

Top Rank on ESPN: Oscar Valdez vs. Andres Gutierrez on ESPN+ (All times Eastern) 

Date	Time	Event
Sat, 11/30	10:00 p.m.	Main	Oscar Valdez vs. Andres Gutierrez
Co-Feature	Carl Frampton vs. Tyler McCreary
6:30 p.m.	Feature	Carlos Adames vs. Patrick Teixeira (interim WBO Junior Middleweight world title)
Undercard	Adam Lopez vs. Luis Coria
Undercard	Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. William Silva
Undercard	Andy Hiraoka vs. Rogelio Casarez
Undercard	Brian Mendoza vs. Larry Gomez
Undercard	Guido Vianello vs. Colby Madison
Undercard	Jared Anderson vs. Stephen Kirnon
Undercard	Xander Zayas vs. Virgel Windfield

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ grew quickly to 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

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LAS VEGAS (Oct. 15, 2019) — Two of boxing’s foremost action stars are set to light up the Las Vegas Strip for a Thanksgiving Weekend fistic bash Saturday, November 30 at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

In the main event, former featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez will make his long-awaited super featherweight debut in a 10-rounder against former world title challenger Andres “Jaguarcito” Gutierrez.

The co-feature will see the fighting pride of Belfast, former two-division world champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton, take on the unbeaten Tyler “The Golden Child” McCreary a 10-round super featherweight contest (128-pound catchweight).

Valdez-Gutierrez and Frampton-McCreary will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The undercard will stream on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Queensberry Promotions and MTK Global, tickets priced at $100, $85, $65, $45 and $20 (general admission) go on sale Friday, October 18, at 10 a.m. PT and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000.

“This a tremendous super featherweight doubleheader, and both Valdez and Frampton have their hands full against tough opponents,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “If Valdez and Frampton win, world title opportunities await them in 2020.”

‘I’m looking forward to November 30, as it’s my first fight as a super featherweight,” Valdez said. “I know my opponent is tough, but I plan on putting on a show for the fans. This is my third camp with Eddy Reynoso, and it’s going great. This is an important first step towards another world title, and I plan to make the most of it. Don’t miss it!”

“I am going to take full advantage of this opportunity,” Gutierrez said. “I hope Valdez is prepared for a super featherweight war. I’m now training in Las Vegas with the professor, Ismael Salas, and ‘Memo’ Heredia. Boxing fans, get ready for a true Mexican-style battle!”

Valdez (26-0, 20 KOs) made six successful defenses of his WBO featherweight world title, a reign highlighted by all-action brawls against Miguel Marriaga, Scott Quigg and Genesis Servania. A two-time Mexican Olympian, Valdez is seeking new challenges in a weight class loaded with premier talent. He closed out his featherweight world title reign with a pair of wins over then-unbeaten foes earlier this year, knocking out Carmine Tommasone in February and scoring a unanimous decision over Jason Sanchez in June. Valdez is 6-0 with six knockouts when fighting in Las Vegas and is looking for lucky number seven. Gutierrez (38-2-1, 25 KOs) has won three consecutive fights since dropping a technical decision to Abner Mares in October 2017 for the WBA featherweight world title. He last fought June 22 in San Juan del Río, Mexico, decisioning former world champion Tomas Rojas over 12 rounds.

Frampton (26-2, 15 KOs), a former super bantamweight and featherweight world champion, is ready to make his 2019 debut. He last fought December 2018 in Manchester, England, losing by unanimous decision to IBF world champion Josh Warrington in a Fight of the Year contender. He was scheduled to fight August 10 in Philadelphia against Emmanuel Dominguez but was forced to drop out the week of the fight after a concrete pillar fell on his hand at the fight hotel. Frampton is making his first appearance in Las Vegas since January 2017, when thousands of Northern Irish fans made the trip across the pond for his rematch against Leo Santa Cruz. One of his nation’s most decorated fighters, Frampton holds victories over Santa Cruz, Quigg, Nonito Donaire and Kiko Martinez.

McCreary (16-0-1, 7 KOs), from Toledo, Ohio, is a five-year pro who, at 26 years of age, is entering the prime of his career. In his last fight, July 19 in Oxon Hill, Maryland, he overcame a stiff challenge from Jessie Cris Rosales to prevail via eight-round split decision. In search of a signature win, McCreary will take a quantum leap in class, but he is confident that his youth and athleticism will prevail.

“I’m delighted to be making a comeback after what has been a horrific year in my career,” Frampton said. “I didn’t get the Top Rank deal off to an ideal start, but coming back in Vegas is great for me, especially against a really strong opponent. It needed to be someone who would test me. It’s what I want, it’s what ESPN wants, what MTK Global wants and what Top Rank wants, so I’m 100 percent confident it’s the right move for me. McCreary is a quality opponent, but if I want to be competing against the top guys in the world, which I believe I can, then I need to be beating guys like him and doing it in style.”

“I’m delighted we’ve got Carl out again before the end of the year,” said Frank Warren, Frampton’s co-promoter. “He had a tough time of it in August with the freak injury, which meant he couldn’t fight as planned. In this fight against McCreary, I believe Carl will prove that he is still an elite fighter and will be fighting for world titles again before long.”

“It’s a big step up for me, but I feel that I’m ready for it,” McCreary said. “It’s an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, and I feel that every fight is a risk. This is one where, if anything, I would love to risk my undefeated record against a fighter like Frampton. A win here means a world title shot next.

“I was in the gym training for my October 26 fight and my trainer {Lamar Wright} said we got a call that Carl Frampton was looking for a fight. They didn’t have anyone, and I said, ‘I’ll take it.’ I didn’t hesitate.”

Use the hashtags #ValdezGutierrez and #FramptonMcCreary to join the conversation on social media.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com.

About The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a unique luxury resort and casino that offers a decidedly different perspective. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Cosmopolitan’s distinct vertical multi-tower design features more than 3,000 guestrooms with residential living spaces, private terraces and breathtaking views of the city skyline. Luxury amenities include a premier lineup of world-class culinary experiences; an intriguing mix of bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues; 100,000-square-foot-casino; award-winning spa, salon and fitness center; unrivaled pool district and an eclectic line-up of hand-selected boutiques. For more information visit: www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.