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Frampton believes that Santa Cruz ducked upcoming opponent Gutierrez

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He might not be the biggest of featherweight names, but Andres Gutierrez [35(25)-1(0)-1] is a name Leo Santa Cruz didn’t want to see next to his on a fight poster.

Carl Frampton claims the Mexican he fights next was avoided by the Mexican he fought last, as he reiterated how tough his July 29th test will be.

‘The Jackal’ had hoped to bring a big name back to Belfast for what could be his last fight in the city, but will instead face a fighter of lower profile.

However, according to Cyclone Promotions, Gutierrez provides a similar threat.

Indeed, former two-weight World champion Frampton claims he faces an avoided fighter at the SSE Odyssey Arena next month.

“I think Leo Santa Cruz didn’t want to fight Gutierrez when he was at super bantamweight, that is the story I heard anyway,” said Frampton.

“So this guy is an avoided fighter. I was meant to fight him when I fought in El Paso and the performance I had that night maybe if I had of fought him, who knows what would have happened. It’s happening now, both of us are improved since then and I think it makes for a great fight.”

Gutierrez may not have been the opponent Frampton wanted initially and the Odyssey not the venue, but ‘The Jackal’ felt had to honour his promise to give his fans a fight in Belfast.

In fact the 30 year old seemed genuinely excited about fighting at home for the first time in two and a half years regardless of the absence of a ‘known opponent’.

“I believe my best performances are when I box at home. I was hoping this one was going to be at Windsor Park, but it wasn’t to be this time. But the Odyssey is where I believe the best performance of my career has been, against Chris Avalos.”

“I think they atmosphere in there can’t be replicated anywhere else. When you go outside sometimes you lose the noise to the sky, but the atmosphere in the Odyssey is spectacular.

“I wanted to fight at home, but I didn’t want an easy fight. I didn’t want to mug the fans off. I wanted a tough fight. I know I need to be at my best if I am not I may lose this fight.”

frayne carpentry


 

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