Shane McGuigan: New York fight will be defining moment for Carl Frampton

Trainer McGuigan will watch on as Belfast fighter Frampton challenges Leo Santa Cruz for the unbeaten Mexican’s WBA Featherweight world title in New York on July 30.

Santa Cruz is a three weight World champion and has blown away anyone he has faced so far.

The Mexican also has an all action style as he throws upwards of 100 punches per round. On top of that he has never been wobbled or down in his 33 fights to date as a professional.

But Frampton was a unified champion at super-bantamweight - as he held the IBF and WBA belts - before stepping up a weight to tackle Santa Cruz.

Both men are also born winners so all the ingredients are there for a real barn stormer and McGuigan believes Frampton will shine under the soptlight.

“I think this is going to be the fight that the Scott Quigg wasn’t. Santa Cruz is a lot braver than Quigg. Santa Cruz is a volume puncher and throws his shots in bunches.

“And he is not afraid to take two or three shots to get his get his own off.

“He is very difficult to fight against but I really believe this is the fight that Carl Frampton proves himself as a legend in the sport.

“Every fighter needs that definng fight and this could be his.

“This is going to be the most exciting fight of his career and it will be best he has ever looked.

“He has just started sparring and he looked fantastic. I think he is back enjoying his boxing. His focus now is not on just making weight. He is back in love with boxing.”