Carl Frampton retained his IBF Super Bantamweight world title with a unanimous decision win over Alejandro Gonzalez Jr but not before he was given a huge scare in Texas.
Frampton was downed twice in the opening three minutes by the Mexican as his American arrival threatened to turn to disaster. He responded to dominate almost the entirety of the rest of the fight and claim a unanimous victory that was solid but not nearly the spectacular performance he had been looking for.
"I was in shock," admitted Frampton afterwards. "I came out slow. I need to give Gonzalez Jr so much credit, he doesn't look like a big puncher but man he can punch.
"It was exciting but it wasn't the performance I wanted. I don’t want to make excuses but I took too much weight off in the last few days. It's a big decision whether to stay at this weight or go to featherweight - I don't know."
Frampton and his support team of coach Shane McGuigan and manager Barry had all expected Gonzalez Jr to be cagey, evasive, defensive. That couldn't have looked less accurate in the fight's first round as Frampton was stunned to be knocked to the canvas twice.
The first knockdown came just 40 seconds in as a left hook, which the Gonzalez team had talked up all week, found the mark. Frampton bounced back to his feet immediately and looked to steady the ship. Instead he soon walked into another, a strong overhand right that had him touching the canvas again.
The Belfast man had never been down in his entire career - professional or amateur. Three points behind after three minutes? This was certainly not part of the game plan. Frampton desperately looked for a groove, going back to his left jab and finding some success in the second but dominance was slow in coming.
The scores were levelled in the third when Gonzalez was deducted a point by referee Mark Calo-Oy for a particularly low blow. Frampton's strong left was finding much more consistency now. He complained about another low shot towards the end of the round but there was no action this time.
With the fight being beamed into every home in America, Frampton was desperate to impress. He finally got Gonzalez on the ropes in the fourth and unleashed a fresh flurry.
There was a lull in the fifth with Frampton landing marginally more but he ramped things up significantly in the sixth. A strong right hook sent Gonzalez spinning backwards. His first-round salvo seemed a distant memory now.
La Cobrita's face was rapidly reddening. The only one coming forward, Frampton was now impressing the masses. A level eighth round was highlighted by more squabbles over low blows from both men and the crowd turned again on the visitor from Belfast.
Frampton's fitness was being tested and the 22-year-old Mexican found some joy in the ninth before Frampton responded in the tenth.
Things threatened to end as they began - messily. There were more low blow complaints - and a second point deduction for Gonzalez Jr - before the champion finished strongly with the crowd eventually chanting his name and the judges unanimously on his side (115-109, 116-108, 116-108).
Barry McGuigan predicted that this milestone would be the first step in a career-defining year for his protege with the next intention to finally agree terms on a long-awaited showdown with Scott Quigg before returning Stateside for a St Patrick's Day spectacular and a unification bout against one of the divisions big guns next summer.
Those plans may now need a hasty redraw.
AS IT HAPPENED - By Eoin Ryan
22.03 The fighters have arrived in the ring.
22.05 It doesn't look like there is a huge crowd in El Paso but the fight is being shown on US terrestrial television, which should boost Frampton's profile significantly.
Frampton in the ring. Tell Me Ma' rings around the arena in El Paso as locals clap along, slightly bemused.
— Joe Callaghan (@JoeCallaghan84) July 18, 2015
22.09 Frampton is the huge favourite to win tonight. 1/33 best price. Gonzalez Jr a 16/1 underdog.
22.10 The fight is underway.
Round 1 Carl Frampton is knocked down for the first time in his career by a left hook from Gonzalez Jr after 42 seconds but quickly gets back to his feet and is the aggressor for the rest of the round. However, just before the bell Frampton is down again from a short right! A sensational upset on the cards here.
Round 2 Frampton recovers well from that disastrous first round, landing some solid straight shots towards the end of the second.
Round 3 Referee deducts point from Gonzalez for repeated low blows. A furious exchange of punches midway through the round before Frampton gets on top late on.
Round 4 Frampton finding his rhythm a little better now, he smacks Gonzalez back into the ropes with a vicious left. Clear round to Frampton.
Round 5 Frampton marginally on top in a cagier round. He's been far more aggressive but Gonzalez Jr countering well at times.
Round 6 A close round until Frampton starts to unload combinations in the closing 40 seconds. Doing some damage with the right.
Round 7 A fairly uneventful round. Gonzalez Jr is content to back off and try to catch Frampton with the left hook on the counter.
Round 8 Frampton connects with some solid lefts. More low blows from Gonzalez Jr but no points deducted this time.
Round 9 Gonzalez Jr lands a good right and goes on the attack for the first time since the early stages. Frampton steadies himself but could be a round for the Mexican.
Round 10 Frampton looks to be tiring faster but Gonzalez landing little of consequence. Tough round to call. Another low blow from Gonzalez goes unpunished.
Round 11 A scrappy, slower round, with the fighters repeatedly clinching. Frampton landing more cleanly. Second low-blow point deduction for Gonzalez Jr.
Round 12 Gonzalez Jr stalks Frampton, looking for the KO he needs but the Belfast man lands some solid shots on the counter.
Decision: All three judges give it to Frampton. 115-109, 116-108, 116-108.
Carl Frampton: "I was in shock [after the knockdowns]. It has never happened before. But I recovered well. I showed a great set of balls and I showed excitement. It wasn't the best performance of my career but I won. I had to take off a lot of weight in the last few days so I'll have to seriously consider moving to featherweight."
