Carl Frampton vs Scott Quigg: The Panel pick their winner
Moore, Smith, Watt, McCrory, Nelson and Froch
Saturday 27 February 2016 22:30, UK
With a few hours until the opening bell, the unification fight between Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg is still splitting the boxing world.
It is a genuine 50-50 fight and after asking a long list of fighters and trainers, we finally turn to The Panel to see if they can give us their take...
Jamie Moore
I am struggling to split them on most fronts. I don't think anyone has an advantage in the corner. You've got Joe Gallagher who has had success at world level with several fighters but you've got Shane McGuigan in the other corner, and Frampton is unbeaten for a reason.
I've heard rumours Quigg will try and box on the back-foot more than he has previously and that would make it even more interesting because it's a massive gamble. I think it'll be desperately close but I'm edging towards Frampton on points in a tight one.
Glenn McCrory
I haven't seen many weaknesses in either fighter. They will both still improve from this point as well - whatever happens, it's that sort of fight. It might get nasty and we might see knockdowns but I don't see it finishing inside the distance. Both fighters think they're going to win. It's one of those fights where the weigh-in will play a part.
When we're getting right down to the wire, it'll be how they deal with each other. We've seen good fighters fall apart before a fight. It's psychology. I think Frampton on points in a tough, tough fight. I think this might not be settled over one fight, though. I'm not seeing a blow-out.
Jim Watt
When we first talked about the match I fancied Carl Frampton strongly, I thought he was more rounded, just a better boxer. Although there's not a lot of difference in age I always looked at Quigg as a young kid in the way that he boxed.
But the closer the fight has come, Quigg has more than caught up. He is bigger but there are fine lines between these two and I find it difficult to give a strong prediction, even after all the build-up. It is a 50-50 as we've said all along and I lean slightly towards Frampton - probably over the distance - because I've always had a high opinion of him.
Paul Smith
I will start by saying I am a big Carl Frampton fan and he is a fantastic fighter. Against anyone else at world level and at this weight, I would fancy him, but having seen Scott day-in, day-out, I know just how good he is. We see it all the time but this fight will be show the rest of the world just how good he is.
Yes, he trains all the time and boxing is his life but he will prove just how much better he is than Frampton on the night. He is bigger, stronger and more focused than ever. I know you are expecting to me to be biased but after what's gone on this week I am certain Quigg not only wins this, but wins it early. I'm going for Quigg inside the first three rounds.
Johnny Nelson
I am sticking with Carl Frampton, for all my original reasons. I've been at the press conference, the weigh-in and the rest this week and usually get swayed by emotion and passion in fight week. I made the point it has been a bit like two adults having a row but forgetting about the kids they are supposed to be looking after, but I don't see anything changing when it comes to the two fighters, anyway.
But regardless of who you like and who you want to win, it comes down to common sense and I still think Frampton will pull it off. There is plenty of talk of Quigg finishing this off within the first three rounds but I am sticking firmly - for once - to my original prediction. Frampton on points.
Carl Froch
Honestly I still can't separate them. At the very start I would've picked Frampton but after his last fight I have had it down as a 50-50 ever since. A proper 50-50. The only time I will be able to make a decision will be once I've seen that weigh-in again - and given what's gone on in that, it might well be once the check-weights take place on Saturday morning.
The press conference and the weigh-in the day before will have played a big part but with all those rows about dressing rooms and what have you, it was still hard to gauge. Quigg looked so sure, so up for it, but Frampton seemed a little more laid-back. I will tell you just before this ring walks start! Until then, I can't split them... yet!
Carl Frampton vs Scott Quigg, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office on February 27, is available to order via Sky remote and online
