Carl Frampton v Leo Santa Cruz Betting Tips
On January 28, Carl Frampton will defend the WBA featherweight title he won from Leo Santa Cruz last year against the Mexican-American in an immediate rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The world’s oldest boxing opinion, Boxing News give their expert opinions and tips ahead of the much anticipated clash exclusively for Betsafe.
The First Fight
Frampton and Santa Cruz had been linked for years before they finally met last year, from the point Frampton became Leo’s mandatory challenger down at super-bantamweight in 2014.
Instead, the Ulsterman dethroned IBF champion Kiko Martinez before unifying against Scott Quigg. He then followed Santa Cruz to featherweight, signing to fight the reigning WBA champion in New York last year.
It was one of those rare, glorious occasions when an elite-level, 50-50 fight lives up to its billing and delivers. Frampton got off to an electric start, almost flooring Santa Cruz with a left hook in the second. His crisp, short punches caught the eye but the pair were fighting at a gruelling pace and, as the bout progressed, Santa Cruz clawed his way back on the scorecards.
As he had done against Quigg, Northern Ireland’s Frampton finished strong to stamp his authority on the fight, and he prevailed on the scorecards, becoming the first fighter from his country to win world titles in two weight classes. It was one of the best fights of 2016 and Frampton was subsequently named the Fighter of the Year for 2016.
The rematch
There was a rematch clause written into the contracts of the first fight, and Santa Cruz exercised that right fairly quickly. He had suffered his first professional loss and was eager to gain revenge.
Initially, Frampton wanted the fight to take place in Belfast – his hometown – while Santa Cruz wanted it somewhere in Los Angeles, where he resides. In the end it landed in Vegas, which suited both sides.
Santa Cruz has fought there plenty of times before and will have decent support, while Frampton will be achieving a lifelong dream of headlining in Sin City.
There are some who would have rather seen Frampton push for a unification fight instead – perhaps against Wales’ IBF champion Lee Selby, who fights on the undercard – however an immediate rematch with Santa Cruz makes sense.
The first fight was phenomenal and certainly close and, this time around, Frampton will be getting a larger purse.
What They Say
Frampton
I believe he’ll come up with a different game plan but I genuinely believe that I’ll be able to deal with anything he brings to the ring. It’s not going to be an easy fight, but I’ll do whatever it takes to win and I believe I will. Leo Santa Cruz is a tough fighter with a solid chin. But I believe that if I hit any featherweight, or super featherweight, with a clean shot, that I can knock them out. If I’m a little bit cleaner, then I could knock him out. But I’ll be prepared to go a hard 12 rounds.
Santa Cruz
I have the loss in my head. I don’t just want to do it for myself. I want to do it for everyone who has doubted me. Once I prove them wrong and win this fight, then I’ll be proud of myself. I’m going to fight like this is for my first world title. I’m going up there as a nobody and I’m going to go make a name for myself. I’m coming with that kind of hunger. I’m going to show everyone what I’ve been working on. I want to prove that I’m better than Carl Frampton. If everything works out, we’ll get the victory.
Strengths
Frampton
The unbeaten Ulsterman was a standout amateur and he made the transition into the paid ranks flawlessly. His footwork is excellent and Carl is always in fine fettle, meaning he has the engine to bounce in and out of range. He carries dangerous pop in his punches, and while he is known for his exciting aggression, Frampton is arguably at his best when countering on the back foot. Defensively he is also very good, using head movement to make opponent’s miss on the inside. He also showed in his fight with Alejandro Gonzalez Jnr – in which he twice had to get off the canvas – that he can come through adversity to still win.
Santa Cruz
Leo is arguably the most industrious fighter on the planet – there aren’t many who can keep pace with him. He’s shown, through the various weights he’s moved through, that he has superhuman stamina. Though he has respectable power, Santa Cruz usually overwhelms opponents with tornadoes of punches. He also has an excellent jab, which he uses to pry open his foes’ defences before unloading with heavier blows. Also, he has a freakishly long reach for the weight and is also taller than most of his peers at featherweight.
Weaknesses
Frampton
It is always difficult to highlight flaws in a fighter who is yet to lose and Frampton in particular is one of the most well-rounded boxers in the world. However against Gonzalez – and, at times, Quigg – he showed he can be hurt when an opponent connects. He also likes to get involved in firefights, despite usually being technically better than his foe.
Santa Cruz
He is largely one-paced, and it takes him a couple of rounds to get there. Once he does, a smart fighter like Frampton can usually adjust and deal with Santa Cruz accordingly. Though that pace is certainly rapid, Santa Cruz has been guilty of being a bit one-dimensional in the past.
Prediction
It looks like it’ll be repeat, rather than revenge. Frampton upset the odds to beat Santa Cruz the first time, but he is now the betting favourite to win the return and rightfully so. Last year’s clash was close, but not controversial. Frampton controlled most of the exchanges with his cerebral style, punishing Santa Cruz’s mistakes and proving he’s carried his power up in weight. He should once again win on the cards in another enthralling affair.
About George Gigney
George Gigney is the reporter of Boxing News, the oldest boxing publication in the world. Established in 1909, Boxing News’ reputation as the market authority comes from over 100 years of experience in the hardest game.
