WBA/IBF Junior Featherweight Championships: Carl Frampton (c) (21-0) vs. Scott Quigg (c) (31-0-2)
Nolan Howell: British boxing has a different feel than what American atmospheres have to offer and this will be no different with two of the island’s best. Frampton has the more trendy name between the two, but Quigg is a specimen who can hit hard for all twelve rounds. That will be the difference here as Frampton may never be able to get comfortable on a strategy. While the more technical and well-rounded fighter. Quigg uses physicality and conditioning to get the win late. Scott Quigg by tenth-round TKO.
Luke Irwin: Ahhh…British boxing scene, you are my jammy jam. This should be one hell of a fight in front of a raucous, well-lubricated crowd. Quigg is a small, square-jawed tank of a man, and while Frampton definitely has some pop, this is a pretty clear power vs. technique matchup. I have a little more faith in Frampton than Nolan does, but I do think Quigg gets an early knockdown, so honestly, I think Frampton takes more rounds, but the fight ends up a draw.
WBA World Featherweight Championship: Leo Santa Cruz (c) (31-0-1) vs. Kiko Martinez (35-6)
Nolan: Martinez is a solid enough fighter to be a test for a few rounds for Santa Cruz or he could even provide some push-back if Santa Cruz fights down. That is a mighty “if” though and Santa Cruz seems to be just waiting on a fresh challenge or to make a push towards to elite these days. Leo Santa Cruz by unanimous decision.
Luke: Firstly, look at Santa Cruz’s sweater for the love of pete. Secondly, here’s a guy that wants no part of the British fight, as Martinez’s last three losses were to Frampton and Quigg. Santa Cruz has been underwhelming in his last two fights against Abner Mares and Jose Cayetano. Leo needs a challenge and to be pushed, and while Kiko is a game-enough fighter, he won’t be the one to do it, and unfortunately, I think Santa Cruz will coast yet again. Santa Cruz via UD.
WBO Junior Welterweight Championship: Terence Crawford (c) (27-0) vs. Henry Lundy (26-5-1)
Nolan: Pretty much the same situation here, though Crawford has the higher upside overall and this is an exposure fight to the New York City crowd. Lundy plays safe for a few rounds while Crawford picks at him for the big finish in the middle of the fight. Terence Crawford by sixth-round TKO.
Luke: They took a big swing moving Crawford out of Omaha and putting him in Madison Square Garden, but it worked! A full sellout! The boxing world is ready to follow Bud as the new top guy in the business and they’re speaking with their wallets. This is a showcase fight to allow the Mecca of boxing to see what Terence Crawford has to offer. Lundy is cannon-fodder. Crawford via R5 KO.
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