Preview - Quigg vs Frampton (Main Event)

As we are now only days away from Quigg-Frampton, it seems only right to actually discuss the main event. We’ve looked at the undercard, we’ve talked about the chain of events leading up to the match being made. Now for the match itself.

Anyone who follows us on social media will know we are split firmly down the middle. I am choosing Frampton while my colleague is leaning towards Quigg. At the time of writing our recent Twitter poll has 6 hours remaining. It currently shows a 59% - 41% swing in favour of the man from Tiger’s Bay. I’ve seen a few other polls with similar results, all having Frampton as slight favourite, which is reflected in the bookmakers’ odds. However, in contrast, most people I’ve spoken to individually either want or expect Bury’s Scott Quigg to prevail. There is an element of patriotic pride at stake here too. And that helps add to the anticipation. A genuine 50/50 world title unification between two ‘domestic’ rivals on British soil. What’s not to love?

While I don’t want to dwell on when this match first should have been made or who has avoided who, it would be remiss not to at least mention it. After all, the fact that these two have been on each other’s radar for years is another reason we are all eagerly anticipating this clash. There is no doubt that had these two shared a ring for their British and Commonwealth titles, the national interest wouldn’t have been anywhere near the level it currently is. Both men will be earning far more than they have done previously and that is the way it should be. Both men have switched promoters since their rivalry began and countless egos have gotten in the way. You can blame Hearn, McGuigan, Frampton or Quigg but for now let’s just celebrate the fact it has been made and is nearly upon us.

Stylistically, this is a fascinating encounter. Popular opinion seems to indicate that Quigg will come out as the aggressor and Frampton will box on the back-foot. A lot of talk, especially from Team Quigg is predicting an early to mid-rounds knockout for the WBA beltholder. And most of this appears to stem from his most recent performance. The devastating second round stoppage of former Frampton victim, and normally durable, Kiko Martinez. This has been billed as his coming of age performance. A win that really resonated around the world. As the old adage goes, you’re only as good as your last performance. He also looked huge at this week’s public workouts compared to his opponent. So on this basis, it will be an easy night’s work for Quigg.

However boxing has never been as simple as that. If this was solely based on both men’s last outing, Frampton might as well not bother travelling to Manchester. Or so some would have you believe. Yes, he was dropped for the first time in his pro career and looked sluggish, yet he picked himself up, dusted himself off and beat Alejandro Gonzalez comfortably over 12 rounds. If Team Quigg are preparing for that version of Carl Frampton they could be in for a rude awakening. The word “version” is particularly poignant here too. There are so many “versions” of Kiko Martinez that I’ve lost count. Quigg blew him away in 2 but Frampton went the distance. Therefore Quigg is better. Anyone who believes that can move on from this article. Boxing doesn’t work like that. There are so many other factors that will come into play on Saturday night.

I’ve already mentioned that Quigg looks the bigger man, and while this is a simplistic point, it will be interesting to see how much (if any) impact it has on fight night. Personally, I don’t see it altering the pattern of the fight too much. From what I’ve seen of both men, Frampton is the more rounded, adaptable boxer of the two. He is one of the few at world level who appears just as comfortable as the aggressor or the counter-boxer. And this is what I see as the key factor. If Scott Quigg doesn’t have much joy over the first half of the fight I predict a long night for him. In contrast, I’d tip Frampton to adapt and come on strong even he doesn’t get off to the best of starts.

They have both improved immensely since they were at British and Commonwealth level, Quigg probably more so. Although neither man has mixed in elite company since becoming world champion so it is difficult to compare their records too much. Despite what the build-up would have you believe, it won’t be their amateur careers, their recent wins or even their trainers that decide the result. A lot is made of Quigg’s monk like lifestyle, as though Carl is some sort of slacker. I’ve never seen either man train so I can only assume they both train well (as they are both undefeated world champions) and I know they both possess decent power that may very well lead to a knockdown or two. It’s so evenly poised. This one is likely to boil down to who handles the occasion the best. Whichever way this one ends, won’t be a shock. Either man could stop the other but if it goes the full twelve I wouldn’t be surprised.

These occasions don’t come round as often as we’d like in the sweet science, so let’s enjoy them when they do!

#IBF #WBA #Frampton #Quigg #Kiko #Martinez #Hearn #McGuigan #Gallagher #SuperBantamweight