Oscar Valdez-Andres Gutierrez, Carl Frampton-Tyler McCreary official for November 30th on ESPN+

Top Rank’s November 30th ESPN+ doubleheader at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas is officially, well, official. Former featherweight champion Oscar Valdez faces onetime title challenger Andres Gutierrez in the main event, while fellow former champ Carl Frampton takes on unbeaten Tyler McCreary in a 128-pound catchweight co-feature.

“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.”

Valdez (26-0, 20 KO) is the #1 contender for Top Rank stablemates Miguel Berchelt and Jamel Herring, both of whom are presently booked for the coming weeks. Berchelt has stated that he wants a crack at Valdez after his November 2nd title defense against Jason Sosa, which would be an absolute banger, but Valdez will first have to get past Gutierrez (38-2-1, 25 KO).

Honestly, that shouldn’t be much of an issue. Mexico’s “Jaguarcito” has struggled to find consistent success on the world level and, as a former featherweight himself, doesn’t offer the size issues that could trouble Valdez at his new weight.

‘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!”

Frampton’s (26-2, 15 KO) 2019 has been painfully unfortunate. He was supposed to make his Top Rank debut in August before a hotel lobby pillar fell on his hand, after which he geared up to face former super bantamweight standout Isaac Dogboe in what would have been a terrific scrap. “Royal Storm” hurt his ankle in training, though, and now he fights McCreary (16-0-1, 7 KO), a 26-year-old not-prospect who’s gone to a majority draw with Roberto Castaneda and split decision with Jessie Cris Rosales in his last two efforts.

“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.”

“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.”