This Is Belfast - Preview

By Damien McKinley

It's just under two weeks until the Carlos Cauldron that is the Odyssey arena will be packed to the top tiers with supporters of the Tigers Bay native as his quest for glory moves ever so closer. On top of this, more and more exciting announcements are being released and proving that its not just a one man gig.

The main event should once again take the roof off and send the Belfast crowd into a frenzy when Carl Frampton (17-0, 12 KOs) makes his entrance, nudging him ever so closely to that main ambition. To become World Champion.

There has been lots of talk thus far regarding the showdown that world boxing cannot stop discussing...Carl Frampton vs Leo Santa Cruz.

This mouth watering showdown will be the last thing on Carl's mind come the night of April 4th as he has an opponent with big plans of his own in Hugo Cazares (40-7, 27 KOs). The two weight Mexican world champion has been around the block more than enough and has proven his worth at world level.

Cazares is currently ranked number one in the WBC rankings, with Carl parked directly behind in second place. The winner of this fight earning the opportunity to fight for the WBC Super Bantamweight title, which hopefully will still be held by Santa Cruz.

“El Increible” is currently unbeaten in his Super Bantamweight journey. His last defeat (a split decision loss) coming at the hands of Tomonobu Shimizu whilst regiening as WBA Super Flyweight Champion.

Cazares is just as good countering shots as he is going forward. With the high guard he likes to employ, it will be interesting to see if Carl works on that 37 year old body. Cazares' style is testament to his longevity and drive. His fight last year against Gabriel Altarejos shows that Carl will have to be switched on mentally (as he always is) because it showed that Cazares has one punch power needed to end a fight.

With luck, this fight will go similar to the Steve Molitor fight in which Carl used his jab to work his way in and ambush Molitor before making his exit. As mentioned Cazares isn't a young man anymore and as the rounds go on, I can only see the confidence being drained from the Mexican. With the partisan support, Cazares will have nowhere to hide and Frampton will force the stoppage in the mid to late rounds. Cazares has only been stopped twice in his seven defeats. But the strength that Carl has proven to have at this weight should be the main attribute to halt Hugo in his tracks.

Belfast's very own “Mexican” Super Flyweight Jamie Conlan (10-0, 6 KOs) will have his first taste of the title life when he contests for the WBO European belt. The opponent who will be trying to disrupt Conlan's plans will be Benjamin Smoes (9-2, 1 KO). For Conlon it is an exciting chapter in his career having recently pencilled a deal with the ever growing Cyclone Promotions.

Smoes will have his hands full as Conlan will have the determination, skills and power to tackle the Belgium number one.

Also on the card and one of the major “step ups” will be coming from Marc “Marco” McCullough (8-1, 5 KOs). The talented featherweight has been on a roll after his minor slip up in his second pro fight when losing a close and disputed decision against Dai Davies in September 2011. Since then Marc has went on a run of seven straight wins, the biggest and most impressive of those coming on the last Frampton show in October last year against former European Super Bantamweight champion (and world title challenger) Willie Casey.

The fight was one of the most exciting on the card with both fighters trading leather for nine rounds. At the beginning it was clear that Marco was not phased by what Casey had to offer and it didn't take the Shankill man long to begin imposing his size on “Big Bang”. The finish was brutal, with Casey being rocked repeatedly before he was saved off while on the canvas.

McCullough will also be fighting for the WBO's European trinket against the tough and very experienced Andrei Isaeu from Belarus.

Those who know Isaeu will remember how he pushed England's very own Rendall Munroe for twelve full rounds in 2011, only to be on the end of a very close points defeat. Not only has Isaeu tested Munroe, but he also took Londoner Kevin Mitchell into the eleventh round before being stopped.

This will be a major test of character for McCullough but Barry McGuigan must believe in his new signing.

Top amateur Conrad Cummings will also be on show for the Irish fight fans in his second professional fight. This fight will be contested over six rounds at the middleweight limit.


http://www.v2journal.com/29/post/2014/03/this-is-belfast1.html

Should be a decent nights boxing. Some good stuff coming out of Belfast fight now.

Gutted im not going. Im from Limavady in northern Ireland. Been to the last 4 or 5 of Carls fights. Electric atmosphere and TV really doesn't do it justice. Should be a good night of boxing.

I've two mates selling tickets mate if you can't get hold of them.

It's not the tickets mate, wife is pregnant so decided to miss this one out. Would love to go though. cheers for the offer bud

Take her with you, what a story to tell the kid..."well you see son/daughter, the reason you are called Carl is because you were born at a Carl Frampton fight!"

Not sure about calling a girl Carl though

Welcome to the site mate

Mate get your priorities right!!! While my ex was in labour I snook home to watch Mayweather vs Mosley haha. No kiddin.

hampo171 wrote:Take her with you, what a story to tell the kid..."well you see son/daughter, the reason you are called Carl is because you were born at a Carl Frampton fight!"

Not sure about calling a girl Carl though

Welcome to the site mate

Carla for the girl

AdamT wrote:

hampo171 wrote:Take her with you, what a story to tell the kid..."well you see son/daughter, the reason you are called Carl is because you were born at a Carl Frampton fight!"

Not sure about calling a girl Carl though

Welcome to the site mate

Carla for the girl

See, I'm sure the wife would love it

Isn't Frampton's daughter called Carla?? That would be a bit stalkerish to be honest

Never knew that mate, I will not be naming the kid after Carl!  

Reborn-DeeMcK-Reborn wrote:Isn't Frampton's daughter called Carla?? That would be a bit stalkerish to be honest

Think knowing his daughter's name is stalkerish in itself frankly........   

Hey you!!! He mentions his kid and missus on twitter all the time. In fact he's mentioned them 153 times if you really want too know so how does that make me a stalker??

Hahahaha

Tom Stalker just started following me on twitter. Taking his name a bit literally there.

This is Belfast..........and you can keep it..

Keep adding to the debate Truss

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:This is Belfast..........and you can keep it..

  cheers mate

hampo171 wrote:Keep adding to the debate Truss

Haven't had the thumbs up from many on here lately..

Always good to be appreciated..

Not a fan of Belfast Truss   

Im not even a fan of Belfast Adam. I just happen to be trapped in it. haha

Limavegas (Limavady) is a ghost town, makes Belfast look like New York

My ancestors come from the respectable part of Ireland..

Cork...Beautiful it is too.....

My 2nd favourite county after Galway Truss. Lovely place

When Robbie was young we took him to Trabolgan holiday village and tried to trace the house where my Great Grandfather lived...

Only house in the road that had been knocked down !!!..

Enjoyed my time there though.......

Lovely people.......

Most Irish are lovely, least most southern ones are