Friday 27 January 2017 00:25, UK
Carl Frampton is the United Kingdom's number one boxer, says Barry McGuigan.
The Northern Ireland star is headlining in Las Vegas for his world title rematch with Leo Santa Cruz this weekend, live on Sky Sports.
Frampton has been named Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year for 2016 and his manager, McGuigan, believes 'The Jackal' is not only the best in Ireland, but the United Kingdom.
Frampton is a pure boxer and a figher's fighter. He is ahead of everybody at the moment
"We have got a couple who have great potential," he told Sky Sports.
"We've got Katie Taylor, who is exciting, and Frampton is leading the pack. I think he's ahead of the game in all of the professional fighters in the UK as well.
"Obviously the big fellow, Anthony Joshua, is very exciting. He's 6ft 5in and he's a heavyweight and they have that extra razzmatazz.
"Frampton is a pure boxer and a fighter's fighter. He is ahead of everybody at the moment."
Frampton has been out on the west coast of America for the past month preparing to defend his WBA 'Super' featherweight title against Santa Cruz.
McGuigan not only expects his fighter to beat Santa Cruz "more convincingly" this time but believes being top of the bill will bring out the very best out in him.
"There is a lot of pressure on him but he thrives in pressure," he said.
"He's one of these unique individuals who loves the pressure you put on him, and the more people that are watching him.
"I've said it before: he can be sparring in a fairly lacklustre way then suddenly half-a-dozen to 10 people come into the gym and he just transforms.
"He just loves to fight in front of a crowd. He's a bit of a show-off and he can really do it.
"With all the accolades that have been rolled up in the last couple of weeks, a lot of them said to me 'do you want me to announce it?' - because I knew it in advance - so I just tell them yes, because he loves it.
"He loves that acclaim, that slap on the back and that affirmation."
Watch Carl Frampton's rematch against Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas, live on Sky Sports 1, from 1am on Sunday January 29.
