Dave '˜Boy' McAuley questions Scott Quigg power before Carl Frampton showdown

Dave '˜Boy' McAuley has questioned Scott Quigg's knock-out power before the Bury fighter faces Carl Frampton on February 27.
Carl Frampton will be looking to beat Scott Quigg in ManchesterCarl Frampton will be looking to beat Scott Quigg in Manchester
Carl Frampton will be looking to beat Scott Quigg in Manchester

WBA super-bantamweight champion Quigg and IBF World champion Frampton will both put their titles on the line at the Manchester Arena.

And McAuley - a former IBF Flyweight champion - is not convinced that Quigg is a fearsome a puncher as some are suggesting.

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“Quigg can punch but can he at the highest level? Is he a one punch knock-out specialist? I think not.

“He blew away Kiko Martinez but Kiko has been around a while and Quigg got him at the right time.

“People also seem to be forgetting that Frampton also has power. It is going to be a great fight - but for me, there is only one winner....Frampton,” added McAuley.

And McAuley - who defended his IBF title five times - is sure the Tigers Bay fighter will not be tricked into a battle by the chatterings of Quigg, promoter Eddie Hearn and Quigg’s trainer Joe Gallagher in the run-up to the fight.

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“They are all trying to wind him up, hoping and praying that he will come in and have a war with their man.

“But I don’t see that happening. Carl is too smart for that and I am sure Barry and Shane McGuigan will have drawn out a game plan for the fight.

“For me Quigg is a one trick pony and if I was Carl I would hit and move.

“Hit him with three or four shots and move. He has to use his jab, keep on the move and punish Quigg when he can.

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“If he does that I see him winning the fight. But he should not get involved in a shoot-out.

“When he won the World title against Martinez in Belfast, he could have made it easier for himself but he got involved too much.

“He should just have boxed Martinez and he would have made things easier for himself,” he added.

Over 20000 fans will cheer on Quigg and Frampton in the stadium, while millions will be watched live on Sky Sports and Showtime.

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But McAuley says it will only be Frampton and Quigg in the ring.

“It is good to have a big crowd there to cheer you on - but you don’t really hear them because you are fully focused on the job.

“But let’s face it, if you are knocked out or hit with a big body shot all the screaming and cheering in the world will not get you up again.

“I am going to the fight to work at ringside and I am looking forward to it.

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“The atmosphere will be out of this world, but Frampton and Quigg will be focused on each other and not the crowd,” said McAuley.

Meanwhile former Frampton and Quigg foe Martinez will get another chance to get his hands on a World title as he faces WBC featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz in America on February 27.

Mexican Santa Cruz will be a big favourite for the fight but Martinez has upset the applecart in the past - but those days seem behind him.

And Ryan Burnett looks set to headline a huge show in Belfast on April 30.

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Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn had revealed he had plans to return to Belfast with new signing Burnett in April during the Frampton versus Quigg press tour, and yesterday suggested he plans to run a show here.

While Burnett will top the bill, there will also be a clamour to fill the undercard spots when Sky return to Belfast for the first time since Frampton beat Martinez for the European title at the Odyssey.

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