By Ben Jacobs
In February this year, Scott Quigg pitted his wits against Carl Frampton in what was not only a huge domestic showdown in the UK but also worldwide. Quigg will be on the comeback trail on December 10 on the undercard for Anthony Joshua’s defence against Eric Molina while Frampton rematches Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas on January 28.
Quigg’s trainer, Joe Gallagher offered his thoughts to BoxingScene.com on that anticipated rematch and believes Northern Ireland’s Frampton has the upper hand.
“The form guide suggests Frampton wins,” Gallagher said.
“Things sometimes fall into place for you as was the case last time out. I thought they did a good job bringing Santa Cruz out to the east coast. I remember when I was over there with John Murray for Brandon Ríos, I said he could struggle at the weight, and he did do because they’re used to the hot climate. There was a huge Irish following in New York and just little things like that help balance the scales.
“Carl had the crowd behind him and he performs with that. When you saw him fight that time in America when he got put down, it was quiet, no atmosphere, Carl can’t get going on that. When there’s an atmosphere he rises to the occasion and he did against Santa Cruz. We got stick for starting too slow (with Quigg) but you saw in that fight if you start too quick you can get taken out early, he nearly caught Santa Cruz out. So, you have to be switched on, Carl’s very dangerous for the first three or four rounds.
“Santa Cruz reckons it will be different in the rematch because he’s already been in with him, but that’s the same for Frampton. He’s never been beat and he’ll dig in that little bit more - I think the will and desire should pull him through again.”
Meanwhile, Quigg, having been out since February due to a broken jaw suffered in his defeat to Frampton will be campaigning at 126lbs himself after leaving the super bantamweight division behind.
“Scott’s been out a long time now and this time last year we were getting ready for the Frampton fight,” Joe recalled.
“He’s chomping at the bit and I think the break has done him good. His body has matured and developed, he’s been able to enjoy life a little bit, go to boxing shows with us in America and Crolla vs Linares, he’s itching to get back in.
“He knows it’s nearly his time again and the butterflies will come back. He’s at featherweight and we will see how he gets on. We want two or three fights to get him going again and look good and then we will see about the world title stage after that.”
