By Edward Chaykovsky

Retired EBU/British champion Paul McCloskey is convinced Carl Frampton will do a job on Scott Quigg when they collide in Manchester on February 27th. Frampton (21-0, 14KOs) and Quigg (31-0-2, 23KOs) will finally come together in a WBA/IBF super bantamweight unification clash at Manchester Arena. McCloskey fought Amir Khan at the same venue in 2011.

McCloskey gives Frampton the edge based on experience. He thinks the fight is going to be a lot tougher for Frampton than it would have been a few years ago.

Many experts believe the fight is now a lot bigger due to their recent performances and McCloskey agrees with that. Quigg blew out Kiko Martinez in two rounds. Martinez went the twelve round distance with Frampton last year. In his most recent fight, Frampton was dropped twice in the first round before recovering to outbox Alejandro Gonzalez.

“I think Carl has just too much for him and if he is smart on the night he will win the fight. But I think it will be tougher now than is would have been two years ago. Two years ago Carl would have taken him apart, but I think it will be closer now - but Frampton still wins," McCloskey told Newsletter.

“I think their last fights when Carl was put down twice in the first round in El Paso and Quigg stopping Kiko Martinez has made the fight bigger. This is a massive, massive fight and I am still hoping to be there - but Carl will not enjoy it. There will be loads of pressure and this is your job after all. There is lots on the line and he will know that."

The fight sold out quickly. McCloskey does not expect what is anticipated to be a very vocal crowd to affect either fighter in any way. 

“It is great fighting in front of a large crowd, but for me I was always in a trance of concentration and totally focused on what had to be done. It is great when you win and can celebrate with the fans but during the actual fight - you are in the zone. The fans will sing and cheer their hearts out and that is great but basically it is Carl and Quigg in the ring and it is down to the two of them," said McCloskey.