By Jake Donovan
If there was any fight on the 2016 1st quarter schedule that you absolutely could not miss, it would be Saturday’s long-awaited showdown between Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg.
The fight will take place in front of a sold-out crowd at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. The raucous atmosphere at Friday’s weigh-in provided every indication that the forthcoming clash is about so much more than just the grudge match that was first floated (by Frampton) some four years ago.
Today, the pair of unbeaten super bantamweights enter in perhaps the most anticipated super bantamweight title unification clash since Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera first locked horns way back in 2000. Sky Box Office PPV is along for the ride in the United Kingdom, as is Showtime, whose affiliate network SHO Extreme will carry the event live while replaying later in the evening on its flagship station.
This one figures to be that good.
Frampton (21-0, 14KOs) proudly represents Belfast, Northern Ireland, his rise to fame similar to that of his promoter, former featherweight champion Barry McGuigan. The undefeated boxer – who just celebrated his 29th birthday – was regarded as a star even before capturing his first title.
In fact, it can even be argued that his belt-lifting effort over Kiko Martinez in Sept. ’14 was merely icing on the cake. He’d already beaten the Spaniard some 19 months prior, scoring a 9th knockout win in their Feb. ’13 slugfest and was considerably favored to repeat the feat in front of a jam-packed house at Titanic Quarter in Belfast.
Oddly enough, his title shot came after both Martinez and Quigg were afforded opportunities to snag super bantamweight hardware, considering he’d beaten one and longed for the other.
Quigg (31-0-2, 23KOs) got it right the second time around versus Rendall Munroe, knocking out his countryman in the 6th round of their Dec. ’12 rematch, coming six month after the two fought to a draw in their interim title fight. It was a slow road to respectability for the fighting pride of Bury, England, who’s yet to lose but also didn’t impress immediately out the gate.
It was believed that a 12-round draw verdict versus unbeaten Yoandris Salinas could’ve easily landed in favor of the defending champ, but perhaps telling of the uphill battle facing Quigg as he’d yet to establish the notoriety afforded to divisional peers such as Guillermo Rigondeaux (though more respect that fanfare), Martinez and Frampton.
Now seven title defenses deep into his reign, the 27-year old has finally attained industry-wide respect. It came in violent fashion, shockingly tearing through Martinez inside of two rounds last July – coming within the hour of Frampton rising from two opening-round knockdowns to outpoint Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. in his stateside debut.
Soon thereafter – though not necessarily due to events specific to that July evening (despite Frampton’s theory on such developments) – came the announcement that a dream fight was finally in queue.
It took for both fighters to switch promoters – Eddie Hearn having previously promoted Frampton and now guides Quigg’s career, while Frampton fights for McGuigan’s Cyclone Promotions – and to collect belts while maintaining their winning ways in order to reach this point. The fact that they remained perfect through all these years despite all that has taken place, tells you this one was always meant to be.
Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the anticipated non-stop will play out in Manchester, England.
STAFF PREDICTIONS: FRAMPTON-QUIGG
Zachary Alapi (Quigg SD): Fascinating, toss-up fight. Expect a cagey start from both fighters, which will make the early rounds extremely difficult to score. Frampton may be the crisper puncher and have more refined technique, but Quigg's dogged determination, hometown advantage, and that fact that he seems to be peaking at just the right time will allow him to settle into the fight and close stronger. Don't be surprised to see Frampton and Quigg fight again after this one.
Miguel Assuncao (Frampton TKO9): With both Frampton and Quigg having faced super bantamweight contender Kiko Martinez, their individual performances have naturally been a major comparison point in the build up to this delicately poised unification bout. Quigg stopped the Spaniard in the second round whereas The Jackal followed up a ninth round stoppage of Martinez with a unanimous points win in their second meeting in 2014. But as the saying goes, styles make fights and despite Quigg's more impressive job on Martinez, he will face a vastly more complicated task when stepping in the ring with the man from Northern Ireland. Frampton's varied punch selection will allow him to adapt to whatever Quigg throws at him. The Bury man will have to make use of his bigger reach to have sustained success but I feel The Jackal's superior punch sharpness will be the difference on the night.
Rene Ricardo Bernal (Quigg TKO9): The fight will begin fast paced with both enjoying success in a nice little war in the early rounds. By the 5th round Quigg will take over with his power and gradually break down Frampton to get the stoppage.
Ryan Burton (Quigg TKO10): I think Scott Quigg wins the grudge match via late TKO. Both men will have moments early on but I expect Quigg to take over in the mid rounds and close the show in style.
Jake Donovan (Frampton Dec.): Recent results suggest that Quigg has edged past Frampton in the pecking order of the best super bantamweights. The line of thought is easy to understand, but is not always accurate in how things play out in a head-to-head battle. My sense is that Frampton is well aware of the surroundings, realizing it will take more than "good enough" to conquer Quigg on the road. I see him landing the more telling blows, enough so to convince at least two of the three judges by fight's end.
Michael Gibbons (Quigg TKO11): Frampton has appeared a little leaky on defense. I expect Quigg to be the bigger, stronger fighter and land the harder shots down the stretch of this one.
Peter Lim (Quigg SD): There could not be a harder fight to pick than this title unification between these two undefeated British Islanders. Frampton is the better boxer, but not by much, while Quigg has more fights and the higher KO percentage, but not by much. Frampton pulls ahead early but Quigg turns up the pressure in the middle rounds to land the more noteworthy shots. Frampton rallies back in the championship rounds but Quigg holds his own and ekes out a controversial split decision.
Takahiro Onaga (Quigg TKO6): I think this one very good fight, but I think Quigg will be too big and too strong for a weight drained Frampton
Cliff Rold (Quigg TKO): Quigg is a little bigger naturally, a little more technically sound, and he has the crowd in his favor. Frampton is a thriller but he showed some flaws in his chin last year and he's too willing not to get touched here. This is 50-50 going in but the lean is Quigg to win.
Reynaldo Sanchez (Quigg Dec.): In my opinion, the best fight of the weekend. Frampton seems to have everything in his favor to achieve victory. However, I have a feeling that Quigg will surprise us and defeat the great Carl Frampton in a disputed fight.
Shawn W. Smith (Frampton Dec.): Frampton has a little more experience and is a little more sharp and should outpoint Quigg here.
Alexey Sukachev (Frampton Dec.): Quigg is a nice little fighter, he has sound basics and solid ledger but Frampton is more talented. He will use body punches and see-saw tempo to make Quigg look lost and carry onto a solid unanimous decision (with a knockdown or two).
Totals:
Quigg – 8
Frampton - 4
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
