Lets take a betting preview looks ahead of the big fight in Las Vegas and drill down into the Frampton vs Santa Cruz 2 odds on offer.
It’s a fight that like last time many feel could go either way. But I’m not entirely sure this time around.
(Check out our own Peter Well’s prediction on the fight here).
Usually the guy who loses a close fight tends to have the advantage in the rematch.
Mainly due to wanting it more in terms of putting the record straight. But there are other factors to consider in this particular contest.
Being able to adjust and change a game plan is as important an attribute in any top fighter’s arsenal.
If you were to judge who might be able to do this better, you’d probably lean towards Frampton due to his superior technical ability.
This sweet science ability that has steadily improved since he turned professional.
Fight after fight.
A skill set that has seen him knockout the likes of teak tough Kiko Martinez on the back foot and break the jaw of long time rival Scott Quigg.
Mos recently his set of boxing tools saw him become the first Irishman in history to win both the Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year and the American Boxing Writer’s Association Fighter of the Year.
Lets have a look at what you’d get to back either man outright to win the fight:
These odds have shortened since we first looked at them a few weeks ago.
Then, they were a tad more fifty-fifty when I set eyes on them.
Now, they’ve edged a little bit in favour of ‘The Jackal’ the closer the fight has moved.
I always like to wait until the weigh-in of a fight before looking at the betting markets to see how both combatants have made the weight.
Both men came comfortably inside the featherweight limit of 126lbs at 125lbs each.
So fitness will not be an issue here one would suspect.
Santa Cruz is renowned for his engine and punch output but it’s hard to see how he might change his style second time around.
Whereas Frampton has shown he can box in versatile manners in the past.
Although the Irishman got drawn into a fight (at times) in their first encounter, he displayed superior boxing skills in patches.
This was ultimately enough to get him the decision in a close bout.
One would imagine he’ll be adopting a more boxing-focused game plan this time.
But you never know when two guys with such exciting styles clash.
If you are looking for a bit more value in the Frampton vs Santa Cruz 2 odds – you’ll be more rewarded in the method of victory market:
Frampton thinks he’ll stop Santa Cruz this time around but then again, most fighters back themselves to win in good fashion before a fight.
It’s hard to see if either guy showed enough from the first fight to be able to actually stop the other inside the distance.
Perhaps Santa Cruz might try to rush Frampton early on and take him out.
The smart money seems to be on a Frampton decision but for safety value, I’d tend to be betting on him just to win the fight outright.
Maybe as part of a double with Mikey Garcia in his world title fight on the same bill.
Enjoy the fight.
