When Carl
Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz step into the ring this Saturday night at Las
Vegas’s famous MGM Grand Garden Arena, they will do so having already shared an
enthralling thirty six minutes of boxing together. Whilst the WBA featherweight
title may have changed hands, an immediate rematch of last year’s fight of the
year contender is an exciting prospects for fans.
In boxing though,
second helpings usually flatter to deceive. This is because fighters and trainers
are more accustomed to the style in front of them, whilst some pugilists may
have declined in certain areas when the return leg arises. Whether we look at
Eubank-Benn II, Cooper-Ali II or Lewis-McCall II as examples, history seems to
back this up. One hopes that ‘‘’The
Jackal’’ versus ‘’El Terremoto” part two goes against the grain, and favours
the narrative of modern day barnburners such as Leonard-Hearns II and
Robinson-La Motta II.
Going
into this Saturday’s fight, the presence of Santa Cruz’s father could be
telling. Having missed much of the previous build-up due to chemotherapy, both
father and son will be mentally settled and focussed on the task at hand now
that he is in remission. Together they would have worked on a different game
plan, but one wonders whether the fighter can veer away from his high work rate,
punch volume style and display anything different.
The
Californian resident does hold the advantage of the fight taking place on the
west side of America though which might prove comforting. However, it will be Frampton
who draws the majority of the crowds support. With numerous fans from Northern
Ireland expected to make the trip, the man from Tigers Bay proved against Scott
Quigg in Manchester and the first Santa Cruz triumph that he can perform in
front of an expectant crowd.
Motivation
shouldn’t be an issue for the Ring Magazine fighter of the year either, as victory
would cement his place as one of Northern Irelands greatest ever sportsman. ‘’The Jackal’’ could also accomplish what
his mentor Barry McGuigan failed to do in Vegas and retain the WBA featherweight
title.
Frampton
therefore enters the fight as a firm favourite having already done the job
once, with his superior boxing ability and power probably being the deciding
factor. A huge domestic unification fight against IBF champion Lee Selby (who’s
fighting on the undercard) awaits so long as both men come
through their respective bouts at the weekend. However, to overlook Santa Cruz’s
chances would be a mistake given his settled preparations this time around,
with a third and deciding fight a real possibility were he to pull off the
victory.
Article courtesy of Neel Khagram @BehindTheFight
www.behindthefight.com
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