Timing in life is everything. In the sport of boxing it is crucial.
If looking for an example of how true this is we should look no further than not only the current master craftsman in the sport and P4P number one but also the master in the execution of timing who and when with regards his next opponent. It is this ability and of course being in the luxurious position to be able to do so that has Floyd Mayweather’s current imperious professional record sitting at 49-0.
Although this is of course often to the frustration and annoyance of fight fans, the five or so years we had to wait for him and Pacquiao to grace a ring together was to us ridiculous. However, for Mayweather once again the end justified the means and although we didn’t get the spectacle we may have if it happened some years previously Mayweather got the desired result both in the ring and in his bank account.
An overused term in the boxing game these days is how it is a business, unfortunately for the fans who just want to see the best fight the best business comes first and a key driver in this is timing. When asking is Frampton ready to take on the challenge of Leo Santa Cruz or the great Guillermo Rigondeaux, boxing fans will say definitely yes, get it made! Team McGuigan will no doubt consider the key factor, is the timing is right?
Astute Irish boxing aficionados especially Frampton’s passionate and knowledgeable Belfast fans more concerned about a Jackal win may also give consideration to the timing factor. I feel at this time with regards to Santa Cruz all and sundry will feel yes he is certainly ready to take on this challenge and with the styles of both fighters considered Frampton can win this fight. If it were to happen in Belfast he would be fancied to take the W.
Team McGuigan seem to have their eyes however on the East Coast of America which would also make for a huge event and allow making the fight a lot more feasible. Venue aside I think at this point it is a 50-50 fight although Santa Cruz would probably go in as a slight favourite. Frampton’s previous US visit to El Paso Texas will really stand to him with regards to his approach and help produce a much more mature performance. The big Irish contingency and possibly if at Maddison Square Garden would all add to it being a massive, massive night.
As for the other option, the booby prize. The man no one wants to fight for love nor money, or lack of it, the great Cuban Rigondeaux. Liquid movement Rigo is like human mercury in the manner in which he glides and moves round the ring in total harmony, the perfect boxing machine. Outside the purists however his style isn’t often well received and sub-par effort levels in his most recent outing is now really testing the purist’s patience. It also provides further excuses for all the fighters in the Super Bantamweight division or their promoters who don’t want to be caught within a country mile of him.
Barry McGuigan has changed his tune at times regarding this fight often quoting as many do how Rigo brings nothing to the table in terms of revenue, “Rigondeaux couldn’t attract 500 fans to a fight in Miami” then on another occasion how “When Frampton hits him, he’s going to knock him out — but we’ll hit him when I want him to hit him.” The second part of this quote I feel is very interesting and insightful. He made this comment after Rigo hit the floor twice versus Hisashi Amagasa. Rigo showing weakness or signs of decline suddenly raised confidence.
At the age of 35 and performance levels not as impressive as before perhaps Rigo is slipping? Is Frampton ready now? He could well be. Maybe though for Frampton’s sake it’s just better this happens a year or two down the line, Frampton at his peak, a full house at Windsor Park Belfast, no doubt a big money fight. Echoes of Pedroza at Loftus Road, the timing perfect, the piece de la resistance.
– Kieran Hinphey / @Hinph15
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