CARL FRAMPTON must fight Guillermo Rigondeaux on or before July 27 in order to keep the WBA world super-bantamweight title he won from Scott Quigg on February 27.

The title was stripped from the Cuban in order for IBF champion Frampton’s unification fight with Quigg to go ahead.

The WBA made it clear that the winner between Frampton and Quigg would have to fight Rigondeaux in their first defence.

The Ulsterman outpointed Quigg at the Manchester Arena and the WBA have subsequently released a statement reaffirming their stance.

If an agreement cannot be made for Frampton to fight Rigondeaux – widely regarded as the best in the division – the deal will go to purse bids.

Of course, Frampton may well vacate both his titles and move to featherweight for a fight with Leo Santa Cruz, as both men have expressed their desire to make that fight.