By Edward Chaykovsky
Barry McGuigan, manager of WBA featherweight world champion Carl Frampton, expects his fighter to make a clearer statement when he faces Leo Santa Cruz in a rematch.
The second contest takes place on January 28th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The first bout took place in July at the Barclays Center in Las Vegas. Frampton (23-0, 12KOs) won a twelve round majority decision, and the WBA belt, with scores of 114-114, 117-111 and 116-112.
There was a rematch clause in their bout agreement. Santa Cruz quickly exercised his right to an immediate second for to avenge the first defeat of his pro career.
Of course McGuigan is not only predicting a repeat performance by his fighter, but he's says Frampton will correct all the mistakes he made in the first fight and win the contest even clearer.
Firework are expected in the rematch, with the first bout being pushed as a candidate for Fight of The Year. Frampton is also in the running for Fighter of The Year.
"I am expecting a better Carl Frampton in this one," McGuigan told Sky Sports. "He made a lot of mistakes in that first fight but of course, he still won. This time I am looking for less mistakes and a comprehensive victory. Carl could fight Santa Cruz every day of the week and twice on Sunday and every fight will be fantastic."
"We're more than happy to be going to Vegas. We didn't want the return in Belfast. There isn't a big enough indoor arena and we would need to fight outside and even if this was in the summer, you can't guarantee the weather. We want to go back there after he's won the rematch on January 28 and I am very confident that will happen.
"Carl is 29, so we have to do things intelligently. He's been in camp for almost two months already and we will go out to America to finish it a month out. He is in great shape and you will again see what a great talent he is."
