Super Bantamweight

On Saturday, at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg will finally settle the argument over who is the best super bantamweight in Britain.

The unification battle between the two world champions has been a long time in the making. They have moved through the levels at a similar pace yet have avoided crossing paths so far.

However, good things come to those who wait, and the timing couldn’t be better in terms of their careers. While the bout could have happened sooner, the choice to make it happen now has paved the way for a huge spectacle that will have ramifications for not just their futures but also the entire division.

Both hold a major title—Frampton is the IBF champion, while Quigg holds the WBA belt. This is about more than trophies, though. This is about pride.

BoxStat.co broke down the numbers on Twitter ahead of the showdown between the unbeaten fighters:

https://twitter.com/box_stat/status/702206646186070020

Chief support for the main event comes from Gavin McDonnell, who takes on Panama's Jorge Sanchez for the vacant WBC Silver super bantamweight title.

Featherweights Isaac Lowe and Marco McCullough are also in action, as they meet for the vacant Commonwealth strap. There is an intriguing match made for the British belt at light heavyweight too, with Hosea Burton going up against Miles Shinkwin.

When: Saturday, Feb. 27, 10:45 p.m. GMT (5:45 p.m. ET)

Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester

TV: Sky Sports Box Office (UK—pay-per-view show), Showtime Extreme (US), Hungary Sport 2 (Hungary), Panama Cable Onda Sports (Panama)

Weight Over

So which Frampton will turn up on Saturday—the one who systematically picked apart Chris Avalos in Feb. 2015, or the fighter who had to climb off the canvas twice to beat the unheralded Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. on his American debut last time out?

Admittedly, The Jackal's below-par display in Texas last July came after he had problems making the super bantamweight limit of 122 pounds.

In the aftermath to his unanimous points triumph over Gonzalez Jr., Frampton suggested to ITV Sport (h/t the Guardian) he could move up: "I have to seriously consider whether to stay at this weight or go to featherweight. I had a lot of weight to take off during the last few days before the fight."

But the chance to finally face Quigg obviously proved too good (and too lucrative) to pass up.

The Northern Irishman (21-0, 14 KOs) insists his preparation has been perfect this time around: "I’ve done it right, simply because I knew I had to. I don’t want to lose—that’s the bottom line."

The majority of the final press conference on Thursday in Manchester turned into a squabble over where the two competitors will get changed on the night.

As the lead fighter, Frampton feels he should have use of the home dressing room. Quigg, however, is adamant that he should be based in there, seen as he is the one competing in his own back yard.

The row is unlikely to endanger the bout—there's too much riding on it for all parties to call it off over something so trivial—but the stubbornness on both sides to back down shows how much is at stake. It was a petty, point-scoring exercise that showed the animosity between the camps.

The media session finished with a staring competition for the cameras, followed by a brief bit of shoving. There was more needle than you'd find at a knitting convention.

.@EddieHearn criticised but claims @RealCFrampton called him 'lanky' during presser tussle: https://t.co/F41YNYRllk pic.twitter.com/jUcDyAVr7m

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) February 25, 2016

The verbal warfare hasn't just been between the fighters, either.

Quigg's trainer, Joe Gallagher, was far from complimentary about opposite number Shane McGuigan, telling John Dennen of Boxing News: "He’s only just arrived on the scene. He was known a few years ago as a nutritionist."

Promoters Barry McGuigan and Eddie Hearn are hardly golfing buddies either. In short, neither team likes the other, which just fans the flames of what is already a heated rivalry.

Frampton has to keep his cool when it comes to the action. He has the talent to come out on top, without a doubt.

He knocked out Kiko Martinez in Feb. 2013 to become European champion, then schooled the seriously tough Spaniard 18 months later to claim the IBF crown with a unanimous points victory.

The question mark hanging over him isn't about his skills, but his stamina. The 29-year-old needs to show he has the engine to cope with Quigg if he is to return home to Belfast with both belts.

Moment of Destiny

Quigg may not have been in the Scouts when he was younger, but he definitely lives by the founder Robert Baden-Powell's motto for the movement—be prepared.

The 27-year-old (31-0-2, 23 KOs) is dedicated to his career. That's an understatement—boxing is his life.

Quigg dropped out of school early to focus on fighting. According to Martin Domin of the Mail Online, he even asked his head teacher to be expelled so he could focus on what he wanted to do for a living.

Such commitment to the cause has the local boy (Quigg is from Bury, a town in Greater Manchester) believing there is no way he can lose what is the biggest fight of his career to date.

"Since the age of 15, all I’ve done is eat, sleep and train. My family has lived their lives around me. But, first and foremost, I do it for myself, because I know the hours I’ve put in. This is my moment of destiny.

"In my mind, there is nothing that can stop me. [Losing] doesn’t enter my mind."

Despite such dedication, Quigg still finds himself a 3/2 underdog, per Odds Shark.

Those odds may have been longer had it not been for his last outing in the ring.

While Frampton went a combined total of 21 rounds in two taxing meetings with Martinez, his fellow Brit needed a fraction over four minutes to stop the same man in Manchester in July 2015.

He will hope to achieve something even more spectacular when he boxes again on home turf, and the chance to face Frampton has revealed a different side to the normally becalmed Quigg.

The former British champion was chirpy throughout the three-city press tour in Nov. 2015 to promote the fight, while he revealed on Sky Sports' The Gloves Are Off show (h/t SkySports.com) that his foe had once been floored in a sparring session in Scotland.

Quigg has stirred the pot, but he must keep his focus when the first bell sounds. Whatever happens, he will definitely leave it all inside the ring in Manchester.

While both have at times been childish in the buildup, Quigg reckons he will end up the bigger man, as journalist Chris McKenna tweeted:

Quigg: "I do the weight dedicated. This fight was no different. I will be the bigger man in the ring. It is my ability will win the fight."

— Chris McKenna (@cmckennasport) February 25, 2016

Prediction

This fight has the feel of a general election—there are a vast majority who are devoted followers for one of the sides, while those few stuck in the middle can be swayed either way.

Frampton’s backers will talk up his boxing abilities. He can hit hard enough with either hand—off both front and back foot—to win at any stage, too.

Quigg’s support, meanwhile, will point to both his power (a career knockout ratio of 70 per cent) and a non-stop motor. He is not hard to find but is difficult to shift. He is more experienced in terms of rounds, having fought 147 compared to Frampton's 116.

If you have a short-term memory, Quigg's last outing suggests he's the man for you.

But if Frampton is genuine in claiming he's in good shape, a knockout win is on the cards for the visitor. The Jackal will win between Rounds 8 and 10, although that prediction is typed with all the belief of a man trying to use a tea towel as a windbreaker in a hurricane.

Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand, unless otherwise stated.

On Saturday, when Carl Frampton makes his ring walk ahead of his much-anticipated fight with Scott Quigg in Manchester, England, Barry McGuigan will understandably be nervous.

As The Jackal’s manager, McGuigan has already done his job.

It was a long time in the making, but he clinched a deal for his client to take on his longtime rival in a super bantamweight unification bout staged on pay-per-view television. Frampton—who holds the IBF belt—will be a rich man, win, lose or draw.

But this isn’t a simple business matter for McGuigan—Frampton is linked to the Irishman's family in a deeper way than just through the straightforward fighter-manager relationship.

Barry’s son, Shane McGuigan, trains the talented super bantamweight. Shane’s older siblings, Blain and Jake, meanwhile, work for dad’s Cyclone Promotions company that promotes the 29-year-old.

McGuigan the father will be fretting about how the night goes for all his team. That includes Frampton, who told Frank Brownlow of the Belfast Telegraph, "I don't think I would be where I am now without Barry."

Defeat likely won't end the team's journey together, but a victory makes the road ahead so much clearer—and more profitable, too.

McGuigan can only hope Frampton’s trip to Manchester—which will see him step into his opponent’s backyard (a rather large yard at that, seeing as WBA champion Quigg is from nearby Bury)—ends with a better result than his appearance in the city.

When he stepped into the ring in Manchester on May 31, 1989, The Clones Cyclone was on the comeback trail.

Few in Ireland were disappointed to see him back in action again. In becoming a world champion at super featherweight, he united a troubled nation north of the border, despite being born in the south.

In times of serious trouble, McGuigan could bring people together by doing the fighting himself. He told Martin Domin of Mail Online: "I wore the United Nations flag of peace and my dad [Pat] would sing Danny Boy before my fights. That was very important to me."

He initially retired in 1987 following the death of his father. However, McGuigan didn’t stay out of the ring for too long.

Just less than two years after he lost his WBA featherweight belt to Steve Cruz in the searing heat of an outdoor fight in Las Vegas, he returned to action in the much cooler surroundings of the Alexandra Pavilion in Muswell Hill, London.

Campaigning at super featherweight his second time around, he knocked out Nicky Perez in the English capital. Later that same year, he beat both Francisco Tomas da Cruz and Julio Cesar Miranda inside the distance.

A world-title challenge appeared to be in the pipeline, provided McGuigan could get past Jim McDonnell.

The Englishman had tried, and failed, to win a major belt at the weight, losing to WBA champion Brian Mitchell on points in November 1988.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oom5bGIMv8

Still, according to Lee Bellfield of SaddoBoxing.com, McDonnell was the underdog ahead of the eliminator with McGuigan at the G-Mex Centre.

While the odds might have been against him, he struck an early blow in the battle when a looping left hand in Round 2 opened up a cut over McGuigan’s right eye.

It was not the first time the Irishman had been split open since his return. He had shed blood against Miranda. however, the wound didn’t cost him a victory. Against McDonnell, however, it quickly became clear the damage was severe enough to put the favourite’s continued participation in jeopardy.

McGuigan’s corner did all they could to patch up the damage, but once he climbed off his stool and returned to work in Round 3, it became clear it was a matter of when, not if, the injury would cause a stoppage.

During Round 4, referee Mickey Vann cupped his hands around the face of McGuigan, who had pushed hard in the hope of finding a knockout. The official took one final look at the cut and then waved off the contest. For the loser, it was not just the end of his night but the end of the line.

Despite still being over a year off his 30th birthday, McGuigan (32-3, 28 KOs) retired again. This time, though, it was for good.

Per BoxRec, McGuigan said in the aftermath to the McDonnell fight: "I said when I started my comeback that if I lost I would retire. I don't intend to reverse that."

After four bouts, the comeback was over. McDonnell went on to get the shot at a world title later in the year, but he lost to WBC champion Azumah Nelson in London.

Now, over a quarter-century later, McGuigan will hope fortunes won’t conspire to go against him again in Manchester.

The atmosphere will be electric. According to the Belfast Telegraph, tickets sold out in a matter of minutes.

Like his mentor and manager, Frampton has a legion of followers who will travel in large numbers to cheer on their man. The Manchester Arena will feel a little like home for the visiting fighter.

McGuigan knows firsthand what it is like to be in that situation. He has been in the eye of the storm, most notably when he became world champion by beating Eusebio Pedroza in the summer of 1985.

Now, though, he'll find himself on the outside of the ring when the first bell sounds. You can expect him to live every moment of the fight from his viewing point, because Frampton is much more to him than a fighter who he represents in negotiations.

But before the mayhem of the main event, McGuigan might just get time to reflect on his own Manchester memories, back to a night when The Clones Cyclone came to an unexpected halt.

Promoter Frank Warren pulled off a smart business move in getting Guillermo Rigondeaux to come to Liverpool, England, for his next fight.

Rigondeaux, a Cuban-born, Florida-based super bantamweight whom The Ring rates as the best in the world at 122 pounds, is now booked to face local boy James "Jazza" Dickens at the Echo Arena.

The announcement of the bout was somewhat overshadowed by the news that Amir Khan had agreed to move up two divisions to take on middleweight world champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.

Had Terry Flanagan not picked up a foot injury in training ahead of his WBO lightweight title defence against Derry Mathews, Rigondeaux vs. Dickens would likely never have been an option.

Flanagan’s fitness issue forced his clash with Mathews to be pushed back from Feb. 13 to Mar. 12. With the need to bolster his Echo Arena card after the initial postponement, Warren went in search of a big name. In Rigondeaux (16-0, 10 KOs), he duly found one.

Rigondeaux on his way. pic.twitter.com/Zf5DeBe8r0

— Boxing Daily (@boxingdailycom) February 4, 2016

The deal works for both parties. Warren gets a star attraction, while Rigondeaux gets to kick-start his career away from his adopted homeland.

A two-time Olympic gold medallist, El Chacal is a skilled southpaw who is widely respected but often avoided.

There are two main reasons why Rigondeaux has never found fighters queuing up to face him.

For opponents, he is a complicated puzzle no one in the pro ranks has worked out as of yet. His long and highly successful amateur career has honed his defensive abilities, while he is also an excellent counterpuncher. Just take a look at the YouTube video below for proof:

Promoters, meanwhile, point to the 35-year-old being a tough sell. If a fighter isn’t going to be well paid for their troubles against the Cuban, why should they bother facing him in the ring?

Saying a fight with Rigondeaux is bad for business is easier than admitting an opponent doesn't stand much of a chance. Being so good at his craft seems both a gift and a curse.

As journalist Nigel Collins wrote for ESPN back in 2013, "All [Rigondeaux] has going for him is his athleticism and technical expertise, which are rarely enough on their own to transform a consummate boxer into a superstar. By and large, the great ones need something extra to climb to the top of boxing's food chain."

The American television networks, though, have never been won over. Kelsey McCarson of Bleacher Report pointed out in Jan. 2015 that Rigondeaux had been "dumped" by both HBO and Top Rank.

He didn't help his cause with a below-par performance in seeing off Drian Francisco on points in Nov. 2015. It was not quite what he hoped to deliver on the undercard to Canelo's clash with Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

So, a world champion who boasts an unbeaten record, plus a win over Nonito Donaire, has had to go on the road. If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain. The mountain, in this case, is a fight against either Carl Frampton or Scott Quigg, the two British rivals who meet in a unification bout in Manchester, England, on Feb. 27.

Rigondeaux is the WBA’s champion in recess, with Quigg being deemed the organisation’s regular champion. The title, awarded by the governing body rather than earned in the ring, is a source of amusement to Frampton, who became the holder of the full IBF belt by beating Kiko Martinez in 2014.

The Northern Irishman has even admitted to having sympathy for Rigondeaux’s plight, per Mitch Abramson of The Ring:

I feel a little sorry for the position of Rigo. The way he’s an unbelievable fighter—he’s someone who I admire and obviously the TV channels don’t appreciate his style of boxing. They want to see blood and guts, and technically there’s nobody better than him in the world. It’s just the way he’s been treated by the governing bodies. I think he’s been unfairly treated. They’ve given Scott Quigg his title. I think it’s been unfair so you have to feel a little sorry for him.

In the same article, Quigg states his willingness to face the WBA's other champ: "I’m not scared to fight [Rigondeaux]. I’m not shying away from challenges."

Rigondeaux now has the chance to make a big impression on a new audience. Dazzle against Dickens, and the television networks in Britain will pay attention.

He has teamed up again with trainer Pedro Diaz in the hope of adding a little spark to his obvious talent, per Miguel Rivera of BoxingScene.com. Don't expect a kamikaze approach all of a sudden, but Rigondeaux at least now realises simply winning is not enough.

As for his next opponent, Dickens (21-1, 6 KOs), he has an unexpected chance to vault himself onto the world stage.

He has won the British title at 122 pounds, but this is a whole new level for the southpaw from Liverpool. It’s the boxing equivalent of learning to bake gingerbread men on a Monday afternoon, then agreeing to appear as a contestant on The Great British Bake Off the following day.

Credit should go to Dickens for agreeing to take the fight.

According to Micheal McKenna of the Liverpool Echo, the 24-year-old jumped at the opportunity: "It is like a Rocky story, one day I’m just training waiting for my next fight and then I get call, do I want to fight Guillermo Rigondeaux? Are you mad, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world wants to fight me? Not half, I’ll definitely have some of that!"

Dickens will be a heavy underdog, but he doesn’t necessarily have to win to make waves in the division.

If he can show enough—even something—against a fighter of such obvious quality, opportunities could suddenly come his way. It should not be forgotten that Rigondeaux has been knocked down on four occasions, per McCarson.

It is also about the performance for Rigondeaux. Britain could yet become his new back yard, as he has been mandated to fight the winner of Frampton-Quigg by the WBA, according to BoxNation.

That potential showdown is for further down the line. Before then, he needs to make some noise against Jazza.

Follow @RobLancs79

Former five-division champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (35-3, 23 KO) will look to move one step closer to another shot at a world title. On Friday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the 33-year-old Donaire will take on 24-year-old Cesar Juarez (17-3, 13 KO) for the regional WBO International junior featherweight (super bantamweight) title.

The fight is the co-featured bout on a card that will also see young Puerto Rican star Felix Verdejo in a showcase fight against Josenilson Dos Santos.

Juarez is listed as the No. 1 contender in the WBO's latest rankings, per the organization's official site; Donaire is second. Despite Juarez's higher current ranking and possession of the WBO regional title, Donaire has far more experience, and it would appear he is the more talented fighter.

When: Friday at 10 p.m. ET

Where: Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico

TV: truTV

Live Stream: truTV Live

Last Time Out

Juarez Guts Out Victory over Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr.

The Mexico native deserves credit for his heart and desire. In his last fight in July, Juarez faced Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr. The former never stopped coming forward, throwing punches and battling for the WBO International junior featherweight title. Juarez would drop Sanchez in the 10th round.

After 12 grueling frames, Juarez proved to have more in the tank than his opponent. He was rightfully awarded a unanimous-decision victory and the title. It was easily the biggest win of Juarez's career.

Here's a look at that fight via Proboxing1510 on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQvJXREyA4o

Juarez will look to keep the ball rolling against an even more formidable opponent in Donaire.

Donaire Smashes Anthony Settoul

In a vintage performance, Donaire disposed of Anthony Settoul in the second round. Donaire had all of his weapons on display in the short, but destructive bout.

He dropped Settoul twice in the first round with crushing left hooks to the body. In the second round, he masterfully slipped a Settoul jab and countered with a lightning-quick right hand over the top.

Settoul went down in a heap. Seconds later, his corner threw in the towel, giving Donaire the TKO victory. ShowSports on YouTube has the final punch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eyElCBXxmM

Donaire Reflects and Looks Forward

Coming off such a spectacular win, Donaire has to feel a little better about his career than he did this time last year. In October 2014, Donaire lost his WBA Super World featherweight title when he was stopped for the first time in his career by Nicholas "Axe Man" Walters.

Top Rank Boxing tweeted a quote from Donaire discussing the loss to Walters:

"For the 1st time in my life, I touched the canvas." - @filipinoflash on the @AxeManWalters fight #truTVboxing pic.twitter.com/KDq9DfLK5l

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 8, 2015

Since that loss, Donaire is 2-0, including the win over Settoul. He now has his eyes on some of the best fighters in the weight region. That includes WBO featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko:

"It's not just @vasyllomachenko, who ever the best TR have , I want to be in there with them." - @filipinoflash on possible opponents.

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 7, 2015

That said, Donaire doesn't appear to be looking past Juarez. He was complimentary of his young opponent:

.@filipinoflash on Dec 11th opponent, Cesar Juarez -" He's non stop all the time. He seems to get stronger every round " .

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 7, 2015

Is that going to be enough for Juarez to pull off the improbable victory?

Prediction

There's no way Juarez has a chance to compete with Donaire. The speed and quick-twitch athleticism are drastically in favor of the more decorated Filipino fighter.

The physical advantage says nothing of Donaire's decided edge in experience. If this fight makes it beyond the fourth round, it'll be a testament to Juarez's heart.

If it goes beyond the sixth, Juarez's corner should be investigated for allowing their fighter to take unnecessary punishment. In any case, Donaire will win by KO/TKO.

---

Boxer records and card information per BoxRec.com.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.

Gavin McDonnell gets the chance to step out of the shadows on Saturday night as he defends his European super bantamweight title in Sheffield, England.

The 29-year-old (13-0-2, 4 KOs) features on a card that is headed by a first outing for Chris Eubank Jr. since he signed up with promoters Matchroom Boxing.

However, McDonnell’s clash with experienced Frenchman Jeremy Parodi has the potential to be the pick of the bouts on a card that will be televised by Sky Sports.

For the champion, it is more than just a title defence.

Parodi, whose last loss came at the hands of Northern Irishman Carl Frampton just over two years ago, is a gatekeeper to bigger and better things for McDonnell.

He has his sights set on becoming a world champion, a feat already achieved by twin brother Jamie.

Competition from opponents is one thing, but a sibling rivalry is altogether different. While you love and support your family, there is something in-built in the brain to try and outdo the other.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Gavin admitted seeing his brother holding aloft a world title is all the motivation he needs to do the same:

Jamie has obviously set the bar high but it's up to me, it's my duty. It's every fighter's dream to become a world champion but because my brother has done it, I know if you work hard and push yourself, you can do it.

I genuinely believe I can win a world title. That's why I got into boxing. I was always known as Jamie's brother but now I am starting to get credit.

Following in his [Jamie’s] footsteps puts a lot of pressure on me for every fight but it also adds that extra motivation because I know I am going to be compared to him—and I want the comparisons to favour me! 

So, can McDonnell keep on rising in the rankings and earn himself a shot at a major belt in a crowded division?

Dave Coldwell, who trains both brothers, is ideally placed to talk about Gavin’s development. He told World Boxing News, "Gavin is a work in progress but he’s improving at a rapid pace and I think he’ll show that against Parodi."

McDonnell needs to keep on improving too, though, crucially, he has solid foundations to build on.

He works relentlessly hard, both in the gym and in the ring. That is a family trait he shares with Jamie—they have nonstop motors and a willingness to sacrifice their bodies in the pursuit of success.

Against Leigh Wood, in February 2014, he overcame a shaky start against a sharp boxer to pick up the British strap, wearing down his opponent with relentless attacks before forcing a sixth-round stoppage. That was a rare knockout for the man from Doncaster, England. He needs to have a great stamina, considering he has only beaten four opponents inside the distance.

Parodi (37-2-1) is not a heavy hitter, though, judging by a career knockout ratio of 23 percent, so the numbers suggest an absorbing 12-rounder is on the cards.

Since Frampton became the first fighter to knock him out, the 28-year-old from Toulon has recorded back-to-back victories in low-key eight-rounders.

McDonnell puts his EBU Super-Bantamweight title on the line this Saturday against durable Frenchman Jeremy Parodi pic.twitter.com/wK2DqNhJ5n

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 22, 2015

It will be a different story against McDonnell, who defeated Oleksandr Yegorov back in March in Sheffield to become the new European champion.

But, it should also be remembered that Gavin has only had 15 professional bouts, half as many as reigning WBA bantamweight champion Jamie.

The fight with Parodi was initially scheduled for Leeds, England, on September 5, but was moved back to allow Gavin to be in Jamie’s corner when he successfully defended his title against Tomoki Kameda in the same month.

Now, though, the focus is on the other twin.

Gavin gets to be centre stage as he looks to continue on an upward curve that he hopes will take him all the way to the summit.

He has seen firsthand what it took for his brother to get there; now he has to try and follow suit. What is certain is that he will not fail for a lack of effort.

Premier Boxing Champions may be on the cusp of presenting an instant classic this Saturday on ESPN. The long-awaited clash between Leo "El Terremoto" Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KO) and Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KO) will take place in Los Angeles as part of the next PBC on ESPN broadcast.

When: Saturday, August 29, at 10 p.m. ET

Where: Staples Center in Los Angeles

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Leo Santa Cruz	Categories	Abner Mares
27	Age	29
Orthodox	Stance	Orthodox
5'7.5"	Height	5'4.5"
69”	Reach	66″
(17 KOs) 30	Wins	29 (15 KOs)
0	Losses	1 (1 KO)
55 percent	KO Percentage	48 percent

Fighter Speak

The 27-year-old Santa Cruz is currently the WBC super bantamweight champion, but he's stepping up to the featherweight division to face Mares. It seems just a matter of time before he makes the 125-pound division his permanent home. 

The fight is being called the Battle for L.A., and Santa Cruz is embracing the narrative:

Fighting for Los Angeles is motivation all by itself. This fight will prove who the King of LA is. #IAmLA #PBConESPN pic.twitter.com/UWA24nXIDO

— Leo Santa Cruz (@leosantacruz2) August 14, 2015

Santa Cruz has always been a fighter obsessed with pleasing the fans. Per Jason Bracelin of Premier Boxing Champions, he described his motivation for each bout: “I think of my goals, the future, how I see my family if I get the win. I think of the fans, their reaction. I just think of that and relax.”

Even with that commitment to the fans, the matchmaking for Santa Cruz's most recent fights has left the boxing community wanting more. This fight is big for him, as it should put some of the doubts about his legitimacy as an elite fighter to rest.

Mares is a former three-division champion who has to rebuild his own reputation. He's won three fights in a row since suffering his only loss to Jhonny Gonzalez in August 2013. The loss came via a vicious first-round KO. 

Mares lost his undefeated record, but more importantly, he lost his aura of invincibility.

Since then, he has dropped trainer Clemente Medina, hired Virgil Hunter and then returned back to Medina. After the KO, he was trying to be more defensive-minded, thus the hookup with Hunter. Here's what he said when he made the decision to return to Medina:

So I'm happy to announce that I'm back with my old trainer, the man that took me to 3 world tittles "Clemente Medina" Mares is back.👍👊

— ABNER MARES (@abnermares) October 8, 2014

Hunter's instruction worked, as Mares won a unanimous decision over Jonathan Oquendo, but the style didn't seem to fit his personality. He likes to brawl, and while a more defensive style might be an ideal fit for some, the 29-year-old is going back to brawling.

Last Time Out

Santa Cruz blew through Jose Cayetano in his last bout in May on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao. The fight wasn't competitive, as he won all 10 rounds on each of the three judges' scorecards. To put it plainly, the fight was a glorified sparring session, as everyone watching knew Terremoto wasn't being challenged.

Likewise, Mares didn't have to deal with a significant test in his last fight.

He also won a unanimous decision over Arturo Santos Reyes back in March. Despite his current win streak, Mares needs to capture a victory over a big name to prove the loss to Gonzalez was just a bump in the road.

What's at Stake

While the WBC Diamond featherweight belt is at stake, the title is secondary. Santa Cruz needs a win over a legitimate opponent. If he were to lose to Mares—especially if the bout wasn't a war—his approval rating would plummet.

He's won world titles in the past, but this is the biggest stage Santa Cruz has ever fought on. Because of that, it's a must-win situation.

The fight also has great meaning for Mares. He has been to the pinnacle of the lower weight class scene, but he'd love a return to prominence. If he is able to hand Santa Cruz his first loss, he'll again be considered one of the best fighters in the world weighing 135 pounds or lower.

Who Wins?

This is a tough call. There are scenarios that favor Santa Cruz and some that would give Mares an advantage. If Mares uses his movement, he has the athleticism and in-ring IQ to outbox his opponent. If he makes it a war, he could find out that the KO loss to Gonzalez has changed his resiliency to big punches. Santa Cruz isn't a big puncher, but he can wear an opponent down with cumulative punishment.

Ultimately, Mares will prove to be the better man. He'll mix in a bit of movement and slugging to keep Santa Cruz off balance. His body work will take its toll on Santa Cruz, and Mares will drop him late. 

The fight won't end in a knockout, but Mares will win a unanimous decision.

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When Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg defended their world titles on the same night on opposite sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, it was expected one would win quickly while the other would be pushed all the way.

Those predictions came true—just not the right way around. 

Despite being on different continents, the super bantamweights entered the ring at almost identical times.

On paper, Quigg had the much tougher test. The Bury boxer, making his comeback after hand surgery at the end of last year, put his WBA belt on the line against Kiko Martinez.

The challenger was a former holder of the IBF belt and was no stranger to fighting on the road, having previously been on cards in Argentina, France, South Africa and the United States.

He had also lost twice before to Frampton in his 37-fight career, with the Jackal the only man to have previously stopped him.

That was, however, until Quigg recorded a TKO triumph over Martinez in the second round in Manchester. An uppercut did the initial damage, and from then on the pressure proved too much for the Spaniard.

While his rival was celebrating the biggest result of his career to date back in England, IBF champion Frampton was finding the going tough against little-known Mexican Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. in El Paso, Texas.

The Northern Irishman was sensationally dropped twice in the first round by an opponent whose only previous tilt at a professional title had been for the interim WBC Youth Silver bantamweight strap.

Frampton did recover from the double setback, gradually gaining control as the fight wore on.

Helped by Gonzalez Jr. being deducted two points for low blows, essentially handing back the advantage he had quickly gained in the first round, the champion held on to his title with a comfortable points win.

It might not have been quite the first impression he wanted to make in his American debut, but the 28-year-old had managed to stretch his unbeaten record to 21-0 (14 KOs).

The scores had barely been read out and yet Twitter quickly became awash with talk about a potential bout between Frampton and Quigg:

Quigg-Frampton straw poll after last night: RT for Quigg, FAV for Frampton

— Danny Flexen (@DannyFlexen) July 19, 2015

Quigg v Frampton.
A rivalry that will always keep us guessing who would win.
Which is why the fight HAS TO HAPPEN! #boxing

— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) July 19, 2015

Dewi Powell’s tweet rather summed up the situation—after contrasting performances, there was a feeling that the balance of power may have suddenly shifted in favour of Quigg:

The Frampton-Quigg balance of public perception and negotiating righteousness changed so drastically in the space of an hour. #Boxing

— Dewi Powell (@DewiPowell) July 19, 2015

However, an all-British showdown is no closer to becoming a reality. Instead of being on a collision course, the duo look to be heading in different directions.

In a post-fight interview with ITV Sport (h/t the Guardian), Frampton admitted his next outing could be in a new division: "I have to seriously consider whether to stay at this weight or go to featherweight. I had a lot of weight to take off during the last few days before the fight."

Whether it was down to weight issues or not, the Belfast boxer was not able to match the performance he produced to stop Chris Avalos back in February.

He was always too good for Gonzalez Jr. and yet lacked the snap in his punches to force a stoppage. It was a satisfactory start to life under Al Haymon, but not the statement he had wanted to make.

Eddie Hearn, Quigg’s promoter, couldn’t help but stir the pot back home, per David Anderson of the Mirror:

I think if Frampton is getting knocked over twice by the 11th best super-bantamweight in Mexico, he ain't going to last six rounds with Scott Quigg.

Frampton will now move up to feather as an excuse for avoiding the fight with Scott Quigg.

He's not going to get hit like that and survive the fight. And after this, they'll know that even more, so the obvious move for them would be to move to feather. We've got other plans anyway.

It seems those “other plans” talked about by Hearn—who made a very public offer to Frampton’s team earlier this year in the hope of making a deal—could involve the Filipino Flash, Nonito Donaire.

Quigg’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, had potentially given a glimpse into the future prior to Saturday night, telling Sky Sports: "If he (Quigg) gets past Martinez, it'll be Nonito Donaire. It won't be Carl Frampton.”

Yet Guillermo Rigondeaux is also in the mix for Quigg, who is now 31-0-2 (23 KOs).

Gary Hyde, the unbeaten Rigondeaux's manager, told RingTV.com (h/t Scott Gilfoid of Boxing News 24): “We can confirm that talks have started between Eddie Hearn and me with regards to Scott Quigg fighting Guillermo Rigondeaux in Manchester before the year is out. Eddie told me this morning that Quigg is ready to step up and take on Rigondeaux.”

So, while Frampton contemplates the idea of going up to 126 pounds, Quigg's team continues in their quest to book a leading name for later in 2015.

The biggest payday for either, however, would come if they went up against each other. Sadly, that might be one of the few things the two sides can agree on right now.

Carl Frampton makes his American debut on Saturday afternoon when he defends the IBF super bantamweight title against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr.

The Northern Irishman—who has now signed up with Al Haymon—headlines the latest Premier Boxing Champions card in El Paso, Texas.

It will be the 28-year-old's first fight outside of British soil and the second defence of the belt he claimed from Kiko Martinez in September last year.

When: Saturday, July 18, 4 p.m. (local)/10 p.m. (BST)

Where: Don Haskins Convention Center, El Paso, Texas

TV: CBS (U.S.), ITV (UK)

Live Stream: CBS (U.S., regional restrictions apply), ITV Player (UK, regional restrictions apply)

Coming to America

When Frampton (20-0, 14 KOs) announced he was joining Haymon's ever-expanding stable, he labelled the adviser as "the most powerful man in boxing" on his Twitter account, per Boxing News.

The timing of the deal is perfect—the Jackal is a fighter on the rise, a world champion who is in his prime and ready to take on the best in the division.

Scott Quigg, though, is unlikely to be one of the names in the frame.

The Englishman and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, made a very public £1.5 million offer to Frampton, who responded by branding it "the biggest publicity stunt I’ve seen since that incident between Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson at Superbowl XXXVIII."

But, before Frampton can contemplate potential opponents for the future, he must first defend his title against Gonzalez Jr.

His last six fights have all been in his home city of Belfast, but this time he won't have the crowd on his side.

Still, Frampton told BBC Sport that he expects to have a small pocket of support in the venue: "I'm bringing a few fans over. They'll be outnumbered but they'll be heard."

However, he shouldn't be overly concerned by going on the road.

In his last two bouts he has shown two different sides to his game: He out-boxed Martinez to become the IBF champion, and then displayed his power in stopping Chris Avalos in his first defence. 

Beware the underdog

The venue for @RealCFrampton v Gonzalez Jr on Saturday, the Don Haskins Centre in El Paso pic.twitter.com/fkBwNpSGiK

— Ruth Gorman (@RuthGorman_UTV) July 16, 2015

Gonzalez Jr. is a heavy underdog—Oddsshark prices him at 12/1 to upset the odds and become the new champion.

The Mexican has a 25-1-2 (15 KOs) record, but this is a huge step up in class. He has never fought in a 12-round contest before, and also only once previously boxed outside of his homeland.

The one defeat on his record came against compatriot Juan Alberto Rosas last year, though the 22-year-old told Felix Chavez of the El Paso Times that it was a bout he should never have taken:

My career was going excellent until I made a mistake and took a fight that I shouldn't have.

My team was telling me no and I took the fight anyway, which led to my first and only loss. They say 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,' and I truly believe that.

I feel like I've really grown since that fight and I feel I am a better fighter. I'm an intelligent fighter. I'm a Mexican that just takes punches. I can take care of myself.

I'm 22 years old and ready to fight a good fight against a good opponent. I have to take advantage of this opportunity. It is a great opportunity for me and I can't wait to fight on Saturday afternoon.

Gonzalez Jr. is right to view the clash with Frampton as a huge opportunity—he does not know when another one of this magnitude will come around again, if ever.

Prediction

Frampton has the ideal opponent to impress an American audience.

Gonzalez Jr. is young and hungry, and his pre-fight quotes suggest he's not going to be difficult to find in the ring. Mexicans don't tend to take a backwards step when the first bell sounds.

This is, though, a step too far for a challenger who has never been in at world level before. 

Frampton will make a cautious start while he feels things out. However, he will blossom as the fight progresses, resulting in him forcing a stoppage in the middle rounds.

Scott Quigg defends his WBA super bantamweight title on Saturday night when he faces experienced challenger Kiko Martinez.

The Bury boxer (30-0-2, 22 KOs) will be in action for the first time in 2015, having undergone hand surgery following the points victory over Hidenori Otake last November.

Martinez, meanwhile, is no stranger to British boxing fans. The Spaniard (32-5, 24 KOs) lost to Leicester's Rendall Munroe twice, in 2008 and then again in 2009, in European title bouts.

He relinquished the same title to Carl Frampton in 2013, before then losing to the same foe a year later, though on that occasion the IBF strap was on the line in Belfast.

When: Saturday, July 18, 10 p.m. BST

Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Live Stream: Sky Sports (UK, regional restrictions apply)

Flash the target

Scott Quigg training at the Trafford centre.@MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/ZWFEW6yyfn

— Andrew Lambert (@canond1mk4) July 10, 2015

Martinez was the back-up plan for Quigg. He had hoped to be going up against Frampton in a summer showdown, but the two sides were unable to agree a deal.

Now, rather than facing each other, the two rivals will instead be in action on the same night, with the Northern Irishman defending his IBF title against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. in El Paso, Texas.

Quigg has stayed right at home for his comeback, but he will be taking on a former Frampton opponent.

However, the 26-year-old is not hoping to catch the eye of Frampton. Instead, as trainer Joe Gallagher told Sky Sports, the target is now former WBA title-holder Nonito Donaire:

If he gets past Martinez, it'll be Nonito Donaire. It won't be Carl Frampton. The problem with that fight is Barry McGuigan.

They can dress it up all they want but Frampton was offered £1.5m. That's a very good offer and more money than some of Floyd Mayweather Jr's opponents get.

It's all roads leading to Donaire. That's a huge fight and a name that Quigg is crying out for.

Before any further talk of the Filipino Flash, the unbeaten Quigg must first deal with Martinez. It is a bout that offers him the chance to make a real statement in the division.

Martinez is about the furthest thing removed from a routine defence, particularly for a man who is making a comeback following a period out through injury.

The Spanish inquisition

Martinez is full of praise for Quigg—but still intends to take the belt from him in his own back yard.

Per Sporting Life, the 29-year-old from Alicante believes Quigg will look to avoid getting involved in a battle, a wise decision considering 75 percent of Martinez's victories are by KO:

"Quigg is a very good fighter—technically he is very close to perfection. But I think that he is not a great slugger and he has not fought against high level opponents like I have.

"I think that he will try to make a long-distance fight, he will look to go to the final round and not change blows with me."

The challenger is the toughest test Quigg will have faced so far in his professional career.

Martinez is an aggressive boxer who won't be hard to find in the ring. While he has five losses on his record, Frampton is the only man to have stopped him.

Like Quigg, Martinez has not fought this year. His last outing was against the overmatched George Gachechiladze last November, resulting in a second-round stoppage in Barcelona.

But, having fought in Argentina, France, Japan and South Africa, he won't be bothered about having to travel to Manchester, making him a dangerous proposition.

Prediction

Quigg is a dedicated professional, so don't expect him to be rusty after his spell on the sidelines.

Martinez is an underdog—OddsShark price him up at 13/4—who has a powerful bite. His record means he deserves plenty of respect.

But, while the reigning champion will be worked hard, he should be able to cope. Expect a successful defence for the home favourite, but don't be surprised if the judges are required to decide the outcome.