Belfast is booming with expectation ahead of the upcoming clash between local hero Carl Frampton and American challenger Chris Avalos this Saturday night at The Jackal’s home, the Odyssey Arena. The unofficial capital of Northern Ireland is steeped in boxing history; which is clear to see when the big fight atmosphere comes to town, with Saturday night being no exception.
With the love of a city behind him, the new IBF Super Bantamweight champion will be hoping he can slice through the assault of Chris Avalos unscathed, to then focus solely on the potential mouth watering shootouts against Leo Santa Cruz, Guillermo Rigondeaux plus British rival Scott Quigg that await him on the horizon.
Avalos though, is a title hungry, determined young fighter who has undeniably earned his mandatory position with the IBF and is literally willing to risk it all in a bid to snatch this opportunity with both hands from the reigning champion.
Can Avalos catch Frampton off guard this weekend, ultimately hijacking those big money encounters for himself? Alternatively, will The Jackal continue on his bloodthirsty reign at the summit of the Super Bantamweight division?
Tale of the Tape
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The 28-year-old Carl Frampton boasts a very impressive undefeated record in the paid ranks, with 19 wins and 13 KOs; but what is even more imposing is the list of recognizable names who have felt the full wrath of an unforgiving Frampton.
Despite this though, it is the challenger who carries the minimal edge in power between the two, a 70 percent KO ratio for Chris Avalos, compared to the champion’s 68 percent. The difference may appear insignificant to the untrained eye, however it does prove that Frampton will not be the only puncher in the ring on Saturday night.
In spite of the fact that Avalos holds an advantage in rounds boxed as well as both height and reach, the man from Belfast has most definitely fought at a considerably higher level and as a result will be the overwhelming favorite when the pair climb through the ropes this weekend.
Main Storylines
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Team Frampton’s decision to bring big time boxing back to terrestrial was a massive coo for everyone involved, as both the fans along with the media responding positively to the unexpected announcement.
This decision to sign on the dotted line with ITV will irrefutably broadcast The Jackal to an untouched audience, who perhaps have not had a chance to witness Carl Frampton yet, due to his exploits with the previous subscription channels in the UK. So the exposure a free channel can bring, could certainly catapult the IBF champ into a genuine household name across the UK.
Throughout the build up, both fighters have publicized their loathe for one another on various occasions, their bickering back and forth has merely established their disdain. In saying that, the pair are in agreement that Saturday night’s mêlée will in no way be an easy clash for either man.
The confident Avalos has travelled across the Atlantic Ocean with a barrel full of self-belief, his eyes fixed firmly on that illustrious IBF strap he has been dreaming of. Still, everything is seemingly stacked against him, but can he cause an almighty upset and dethrone a highly skilled young champion in his own back yard?
Strengths for Each Man
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Carl Frampton
Undoubtedly, Carl Frampton has an array of strengths at his disposal going into Saturday night’s battle. Yet, his key attributes are categorically his power along with his versatility in a boxing ring.
The Belfast man has proven his sheer class countless times throughout his professional career, showing that he is equally comfortable fighting on the back foot as well as his front foot, which makes The Jackal a nightmare for every fighter he faces.
Frampton’s exceptional one-punch power cannot be dismissed as it is one of his most devastating assets. To neutralize this force , Avalos must keep a tight guard, otherwise the American could end up like many of Carl Frampton’s opponents, sent for an early bath.
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Chris Avalos
The 25-year-old Hitman may not have the esteemed credentials of his counterpart, but nevertheless, Chris Avalos is a relentless puncher who works at a very high tempo, which he uses to great effect.
The American underdog is extremely explosive, using a wide range of punches he has incorporated into his own arsenal, which has the ability to make Saturday night’s bout an exceedingly tough one for the 28-year-old IBF king.
If Avalos can take Frampton’s best shot and continue to charge forward, it will be interesting to see if the champion can resist the nonstop pressure from his persistent challenger as they go down the stretch.
Weaknesses for Each Man
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Carl Frampton
Compliancy for Carl Frampton is the only potential weakness against Chris Avalos this weekend.
If the 28 year old takes his eager opponent too lightly, then he could eventually find himself in trouble as the fight drifts deeper into the later rounds.
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Chris Avalos
Although the relentless style of Chris Avalos is a massive benefit for him, to stubbornly use it against a renowned puncher like Carl Frampton could in turn be a recipe for disaster.
If Avalos aims to try to slug it out with Frampton without an actual game plan, he may find himself looking up from the canvas just like the many who tried in the past, but failed miserably.
The Winner and Why
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Another extraordinary night is expected in Belfast‘s Odyssey Arena, as the buzz of anticipation has already reached fever pitch on the iconic fight city.
As for the winner though, sadly, there can be only one man. As good as Chris Avalos may be, Carl Frampton has the boxing world at his feet at the moment and is arguably the most exciting Super Bantamweight in the world. So for that reason, a Frampton victory, late on or points victory is almost a mere formality to many.
That being said, after witnessing several of Avalos’ previous outings as a pro, the American slugger will be supremely motivated for the bout, which will unquestionably spark a career best performance. That is almost certain to have the reigning IBF champion’s hands full for however long the tussle lasts.
Regrettably though, for the enthusiastic Hitman, sometimes a fighter is simply up against an immovable object, which could even demonstrate that, the world is simply not even enough to prevail. And for Avalos, that unbeatable obstacle comes in the shape of an ever-growing Jackal and his band of loyal supporters.
