Carl Frampton v Nonito Donaire Preview: A belt and futures on the line

A world champion in four different weight classes, the Filipino Flash once went unbeaten for an incredible 12 years. From 2001 until 2013, he won 30 fights in a row before losing to the legendary Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux.

So Frampton will know already what sort of quality he’ll be dealing with – this is no gimme for the Northern Irishman. And Donaire will be hungry to prove he can still cut the mustard at this level, even in the twilight years of a 42-fight career.

The ability is certainly there. He has ferociously quick hand-speed and thunderous punching power – although that has lessened slightly as he’s gone up the weight divisions.

Can Donaire produce one last great effort to catapult him back into the limelight?

Fight Prediction

Frampton is as short as 1/7 to win, with Donaire a huge outsider at 9/2. The Draw is 22/1.

It suggests a chasm in quality between the fighters when, in essence, there’s not really. There are only four years between the pair, but Donaire has definitely more miles on the clock in terms of fights.

Plus the Jackal will have a huge hometown crowd behind him and that’s certain to spur him on. Surely the hugely experienced Donaire is more than capable of dealing with that?

The Filipino has only been knocked out once in four-career losses. And the Belfast man has gone the distance in his last five fights. Frampton is 8/15 to win by Decision or Technical Decision.

By all accounts, a fire has been lit under Frampton. And in front of his home crowd, against an opponent of Donaire’s calibre – can he produce a stoppage at 5/2?

We’ll find out on Saturday night.

Big fight previews, boxing betting tips and news– Coral have got it all.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing