‘Freakish power’ has Frampton backing Anthony Cacace to beat British champ Bowen

Carl Frampton believes ‘the freakish power’ of Anthony Cacace [17(7)-1(0)] could prove the difference when he challenges Sam Bowen [15(11)-0] for the British super-featherweight title next month.

The Champion goes into the November 30, Birmingham fight with a better knockout percentage and with the bookies backing, but ‘The Jackal’ fancies ‘The Apache’ to win.

The Belfast duo are aware of each other from the amateurs plus they were team mates at Cyclone Promotions for a time – and Frampton reveals he has tough first hand experience of the 30-year-old and his talents.

The former two weight world champion claims he has never been hit harder than when landed on by Cacace – and he feels that power could prove the difference in a close BT Sport broadcast fight.

“Anto has a very tough fight against Bowen who is a similar style fighter. Both have long arms and are fantastic punchers,” Frampton said.

“Anto Cacace is the hardest person I have ever been hit by. He has got freakish power. He whips his shots in and it’s frightening.”

Looking at the records of Ibstock’s Bowen and Cacace it suggests the champion holds the aces when it comes to power.

Unbeaten Bowen who will be risking his title for the second time has 11 KOs in his 15 wins, while Cacace only has cut down seven of his 17 victims inside the distance

Reflecting on those stats Frampton added: “Anto doesn’t have the KOs that his record should have but that is probably more to do with the way he fights. He fights a bit lazy.

“I fancy Anto but it is going to be a good fight. No, it’s going to be a great fight.”

Bowen v Cacace features on a stacked night of title action at Arena Birmingham on November 30. WBO world bantamweight champion Zolani Tete defends his title against interim champion John Riel Casimero, British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Chris Jenkins makes a defence against Liam Taylor. Lerrone Richards also takes on Lennox Clarke for the Commonwealth and vacant British super middleweight belt.

Sam Maxwell defends his WBO European super lightweight title against the also unbeaten Connor Parker from Derbyshire, while Hamzah Sheeraz will fight for his first major title at super welterweight.

Prospects Dennis McCann, Shabaz Masoud, Eithan James and George Davey also feature on the bill, along with talents from the local region in Nathan Heaney, Ryan Kelly and River Wilson-Bent.