IBF champion Carl Frampton and WBA titleholder Scott Quigg battle it out in a super bantamweight unification battle and the Manchester Arena in the north of England on Saturday night. SecondOut’s writers once again put their reputations on the line to predict the outcome.
See below who our writers believe will be victorious.
It is very rare nowadays to witness a genuine 50/50 match on the world stage but Saturday’s super bantamweight battle between Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg is one of them. The bookies have Frampton a slight favourite going in but this one could go either way. It has often been said that whilst Frampton is a world class operator he is not quite the finished article his team would have us believe. That certainly is true judging by his last performance against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. As for Quigg, he too has had his share of off nights but last time out he impressed greatly by taking out Kiko Martinez in style. They say your only as good as your last fight and if thats true then one has to favour Quigg
Both have good boxing skills and good engines. Both are unbeaten and both can punch a bit so this one could come down to a couple of things. Who will handle the occasion best and who will be more focused on the night. If I had to pick a winner I’d have to say Quigg’s extra punching power and fitness together with the experience of Joe Gallagher in the corner will see Quigg pull away late on to nick a tight decision. Bring on the rematch.
Quigg pts 12
Clive Bernath
London
England
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Scott Quigg said that he does everything better than Carl Frampton during the fight week build up to their unification bout. I could certainly see a scenario in which the steady Quigg is able to use his height to outbox and frustrate Frampton. I just feel that Framption is too dynamic for Quigg. Even if he is frustrated early, he’s a fearless fighter willing to take risks. Framption has power in both hands, and he will eventually land something big that will turn the fight to his favor.
Even if Frampton is unable to stop Quigg, I feel that the rounds that he will win will be easy to score, and he will win enough of the close rounds to win by decision.
Frampton pts 12
Jason Pribila
Bethlehem
USA
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Many have seemingly been swayed by Frampton’s solitary ’off-night’ against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr, an ’off night’ that happened away from home in an obscure Texas border town against a guy that was essentially an unknown quantity. He got back up, adapted, and won the fight. Couple that with Scott Quigg’s 2nd round destruction of Kiko Martinez on the same night and many have changed their picks the closer we get to Saturday. In my eyes Carl Frampton had already beaten a better version of Kiko. Twice. And that’s not to mention the shocker Quigg had in the opening round of the Kiko fight. Those factors haven’t swayed me in my pick. Carl Frampton is the better fighter, always has been, and while Quigg is the bigger, has improved immeasurably and come over extremely well in the build-up, I just don’t see him being able to beat the highly skilled Frampton in the knockout fashion he predicts. I expect a close first few rounds before Frampton begins to pull away over the stretch and take both a UD and Quigg’s WBA title back to Belfast with him.
Frampton pts 12
Olly Campbell
Preston
England
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One tell-tale sign of a great fight is when you go back and forth with your picks. First and foremost, I am a fan of Frampton and I have a high regard for Quigg. Over the last two years, I felt Frampton was pulling away and showing his class while Quigg looked to have plateaued. However, in boxing, they say you are only as good as you last fight and that makes one truly wonder. Frampton showed grit getting up to win and Quigg showed class disposing of a former world champion early. Frampton’s opponent was green and Quigg’s a bit bruised around the edges. So, the real question is which guy shows up this week? Quigg has done well allowing himself to be pressured and waiting for big counters ala the Martinez fight. Frampton loves to come forward, but has been susceptible to straight punches. Quigg will be wise to remember his body work. The comparison the Barrera and Morales are a tad heavy; I don’t think the fight will go that way. I do expect a very torrid contest though. I expect Frampton to come on faster to set the pace only to be dropped early, handing the lead to Quigg. Frampton will regain momentum in the mid-rounds to even the gap. Quigg will eat some shots on the offensive. He tends to carry his left hand a little too long when throwing the straight right.I expect some even rounds — real coin tosses. Quigg will invest in some body blows and this may allow Frampton to pull the lead with some higher volume punching. Down the stretch, Quigg’s work in the basement pays off as he scores a late round knockdown on a tiring Frampton. Frampton doesn’t fold though and actually finishes stronger as Quigg exerts himself going for the finish. The score is split and Frampton will feel he pulled it out, but the two knockdowns create a mathematcal gap too wide overcome. Quigg takes home a split decision and offers an immediate rematch.
Quigg pts 12
Derek Bonnett
Connecticut
USA
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A lot of observers are making a judgement on this fight based on the last performances of each fighter. As popular as the saying ’a fighter is only as good as their last fight’ is, in truth, each fighter is a lot more than just their last fight.
I simply can’t get away from the thought that Frampton is tougher, rougher, more savvy and more spiteful than Quigg, and that could mean the difference between victory and defeat in this one. Sure, Quigg has unquestionable skills and his performance over Martinez last time out was stunning, but get him into a bitter war with Frampton and I see it going the Belfast man’s way.
I see a tactical yet busy first half of the fight followed by a spirited and calculated dismantling of Quigg by a vicious and on-form Jackal
Frampton w pts 12
William Wade
Gutersloh
Germany.
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This is going to be a war, Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg are bangers. Frampton has a devastating left when timed just right and is capable of quickly taking a fighter out of their element with his pinpoint jabs, he is a straight forward fighter who just keeps coming. Scott Quigg is a patient fighter, his ability to size up an opponent is simply remarkable. Like Frampton, he too can take a fighter out of their element. Quiqq has deadly power and is great at using the ring to his advantage, moving often to change the tempo of the fight. He will need to bring out all the weapons this night to defeat Frampton. I see Quigg winning this fight, he will find openings and opportunities that will shift the fight in his favor. Wouldn’t be surprised if Quigg knocks out Frampton in the later rounds, but I see the fight going the distance in favor of Quigg.
Quigg w pts 12
Ron Valderrama
Phoenix
Arizona
USA
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Frampton’s better skills and slightly better level of opposition may enable him to escape getting rocked or even floored. Quigg’s roundhouse punches make him dangerous for the knockout but not for scoring points. Frampton comes on late to win a close decision in a good fight.
Frampton pts 12
J.R. Jowett
Norristown
Pennsylvania
USA
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“It’s great to see two undefeated champions that are willing to take a risk and fight one another. This looks to be a very even match-up despite a height, age and pro experience advantage for Scott Quigg. Carl Frampton will enter the ring in Lancashire looking to unify the WBA and IBF super bantamweight titles in Quigg’s back yard . I think over the course of the fight Frampton will work his way inside on Quigg and pull off a late stoppage or unanimous decision by a few points.”
Frampton W Late TKO
Derek Gionta
Pittsburgh, PA
USA
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Quigg = 3
Frampton = 5
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February 26, 2016
