BOXING: Frampton will have too much for Santa Cruz, says Dave '˜Boy'

Dave '˜Boy' McAuley has spent hours watching and studying Leo Santa Cruz in action over the weekend, writes Nicky Fullerton.
Dave 'Boy' McAuley and Carl FramptonDave 'Boy' McAuley and Carl Frampton
Dave 'Boy' McAuley and Carl Frampton

McAuley - the former IBF Flyweight World champion - has taken a close look at the Mexican and he is sure Carl Frampton will dethrone WBA Featherweight king Santa Cruz when they meet in New York at the end of July.

Santa Cruz has been a World champion at bantamweight, super-bantamweight and featherweight, but McAuley believes ‘The Jackal’ has the unbeaten Mexican’s number.

“I have watched Santa Cruz over the last few years and I spent time on Friday and Saturday watching him fighting at bantamweight, super-bantamweight and featherweight,” he said. “I watched him winning the WBA featherweight title against Abner Mares and I watched him in his only defence against Kiko Martinez.

“I believe Carl will have too much for him, but it will be the toughest fight of Carl’s career.

“And I think Santa Cruz’s team are crazy to fight Carl. If they have done their homework - you would avoid Frampton at all costs.”

McAuley says Santa Cruz is at a similar level to Chris Avalos - who Frampton took apart in 2015. And he believes there will be the same outcome.

“I watched Avalos many times before he fought Frampton and was impressed. He was a good fighter - but Carl dismantled him that night and got the victory.

“Carl has that gift that very few fighters have. He is that one fighter that comes around every so often.

“He has the gift that if the fighter is awful - he will be slightly better and if the fighter is good - he will be slightly better. And if the other guy is very good - Carl will be slightly better. We have not seen the best of him and the better the fighter he faces, the better he will become.”

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