Carl Frampton-Scott Quigg title bout broadcast rights picked up by Showtime in U.S.

If you're a boxing fan in the U.S., you're in luck.

Showtime announced Saturday it has picked up live broadcast rights to the highly anticipated junior featherweight unification title bout between Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg. The fight, from the Manchester Arena in England, will be telecast in the afternoon (precise time to be announced) and then paired later in the evening with live coverage of Leo Santa Cruz's title defense against Kiko Martinez.

The Frampton-Quigg fight has been brewing for some time, and serves as the first truly big bout of 2016. Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs) is rated No. 2 at 122 pounds by Boxing Junkie, and is a come-forward fighter who makes good action bouts. He won the IBF title with a decision over Martinez in 2014, and then knocked him out in the rematch.

The 28-year-old Irishman made his American debut in July, but Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs) was surprisingly knocked down in a win over Alejandro Gonzlaez Jr.

"I am thrilled to be boxing on SHOWTIME and defending my world title in front of such a large television audience in the US," said Frampton. "SHOWTIME is the home of huge global boxing events and I am delighted that my team have ensured I will box on such a terrific platform. I enjoyed fighting on sister network CBS last July and I want to continue to build my fan base in the United States. Roll on February 27 in Manchester, where I will comprehensively beat Scott Quigg."

Quigg, however, is riding high coming into the bout. Ranked No. 3 by Boxing Junkie at 122, the 27-year-old Brit knocked out the aforementioned Martinez in just two rounds. The WBA champion, in fact, beat Martinez on the same day Frampton beat Gonzalez. Each guy hasn't fought since, and will be both be facing the toughest tests of their careers.

"It's brilliant that the American fans will get to see this brilliant fight," said Quigg (32-0-3, 23 KOs). "I've always wanted to box in a massive fight in the US, and I believe that when I beat Carl in style on February 27 in front of a sold-out crowd live on SHOWTIME, I'll gain plenty of fans in the States."

(Photo of Frampton, left, and Quigg, right, by Mark Robinson)