Carl Frampton bids to become the fighting isle of Ireland’s first ever three-weight world champion when he locks horns with WBO 130lbs king Jamel Herring at Caesars Palace Dubai on Saturday evening.
Already widely regarded as the greatest fighter in the grand history of Belfast boxing, ‘The Jackal’ will be hoping to take his legend a step further after past glories against the likes of Leo Santa Cruz, Scott Quigg, Nonito Donaire and Kiko Martinez at 122lbs and 126lbs.
After a long and lustrous 12-year career, are Frampton’s best days gone or does he have one great night left within him?Boxing Social’s intrepid band of writers and fortune tellers attempt to predict the outcome.
Frampton isn’t a natural super-feather and Herring has advantages of reach (seven inches longer) and height (five inches taller) as well as a tricky southpaw style that simply aren’t a good match for the Tigers Bay man. Add to that the fact Frampton is a few years past his prime now and I think all signs indicate a clear points win for the underrated former marine. – Luke G. Williams.
Herring is absolutely massive at the weight, but the price he pays for the ridiculous physical advantages he possesses at 130lbs is a lack of strength. Shorter opponents have continuously managed to close the distance to fight on the inside. Frampton is not the fighter he once was, but he still had his moments against Josh Warrington. I can see Frampton winning a – perhaps controversial – decision. – John A. MacDonald.
Though it hasn’t had much hype I’m really intrigued by this match-up. Herring has significant size advantages but looked really poor in his last fight against Jonathan Oquendo. Frampton, meanwhile, hasn’t looked the same fighter since those fantastic wars with Leo Santa Cruz, and the departure of Shane McGuigan appears to have really hurt him. I think the size and superb conditioning of Herring will mean he’ll take control of the latter stages of the fight and eke out a points win. Herring UD. – Phil Rogers.
Despite Herring’s glaring physical advantages and proven experience at the weight, I think there’s a strong possibility Carl nicks this with a tiny, perhaps controversial majority/split decision. They can always run it back, but I’ll take Frampton by the narrowest of margins to make history – they can never take that away from him. – Craig Scott.
I expect this to be a really intriguing fight. Frampton has been great value over the years, but I don’t think it’s controversial to say that he seems to be on the downward slope. With Herring having significant physical advantages and confidence at the weight, i see him holding off a spirited Frampton to pick up the points win. – James Oddy.
I think Frampton has one big win left in him. Herring may have the physical advantages, but he isn’t a monster at the weight by any means. Not many would fancy Frampton against the likes of Oscar Valdez, Shakur Stevenson or Gervonta Davis, but Herring has been chosen for a reason. He’s The Jackal’s best possible bet at three-weight glory. Frampton may be past his peak, but he’s fought at another level to Herring. His seasoning and mastery of distance can see him nick an historic win on the cards. – Mark Butcher.
Main image: MTK Global.