Fighting in Belfast for the first time in over two years, Carl Frampton is primed for a triumphant homecoming against Mexican prospect Andres Gutierrez.
The Northern Irishman might have lost his belt and his unbeaten record to Leo Santa Cruz in January, but he is still one of the world’s elite featherweights.
A former two-weight world champion, he has a record of 23 wins and just one defeat, including victories over world-class fighters like Santa Cruz, Scott Quigg and Kiko Martinez.
Gutierrez, while impressive at the age of just 24, is not at that level.
The Mexican has been incredibly active throughout his young career, with 37 professional fights to date, but he was beaten by former super flyweight champion in his first real step up in competition and has never faced a fighter of Frampton’s ability.
There’s little point in backing Frampton to win outright at .
Plenty of value, however, can be found in betting on how he will beat Gutierrez.
The 30-year-old has gone the distance in each of his last four fights, and four of his last five wins have come by decision.
Given their class, it’s no surprise that Frampton failed to knock out Santa Cruz, while nerves were likely a factor when he was unable to take Alejandro Gonzalez Jr out on his first trip to the USA in 2015.
Now back on home soil, his chances of returning to knockout form will be boosted.
Only two of his 10 fights in Belfast have gone the distance: a six-rounder against Ian Bailey in 2010 and a rematch against Martinez three years ago.
Gutierrez is a durable fighter who has never been knocked out, and he should be able to withstand an early onslaught given that Frampton isn’t the most powerful featherweight.
But his pressure should eventually take its toll, and a Frampton win in rounds nine to 12 – at our boosted price of – looks a good bet.
Insider knowledge
What is Carl Frampton’s entrance music?
Carl Frampton ring-walk song is GALA’s ‘Freed from Desire’.
The track was released in 1996 but enjoyed a resurgence in 2016 when it was adopted by Wigan and Northern Ireland fans to celebrate the goalscoring exploits of Will Grigg.
