By Sean McDaniel: Unbeaten super bantamweight prospect Carl Frampton (13-0, 9 KO’s) will be looking to impress tonight in his fight against undefeated and very tough Raul Hirales (16-0-1, 8 KO’s) in a fight for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental super bantamweight title at the Nottingham Arena in Nottingham, UK.

This is definitely a risky fight for the 25-year-old Frampton because it’s a clear step up from the guys he’s been fighting. Frampton has been fighting opposition that has been average at best, and who has rolled over almost immediately upon being attacked by Frampton.

Hirales won’t be beaten easily, and Frampton is going to have to find a way to beat this tough Mexican. Hirales has fought guys like Frampton before in Mexico, and he won’t be so easily over-powered in Frampton’s typical style of fighting.

Hirales brings to the table some good power and really good technique to go along with his unbeaten record. Hirales hasn’t faced anyone that you could consider dangerous at this point in his career, because he’s still working his way up the ladder. But Hirales has a good chance of winning tonight if he can get out of the way of enough of Frampton’s big shots to out-box him.

That’s really Hirales’ main chance of winning this fight because he hasn’t shown a lot of power in his fights. Hirales’ last knockout win came two years ago in 2010. For a fighter that is still fighting 2nd tier opposition like Hirales, it’s a clear sign that he lacks power.
Frampton told Sky Sports News “I intend on put in the performance of my life and show the world I’m the real deal.”

Frampton’s adviser Barry McGuigan sees Hirales as a definite risky fight for Frampton but he feels it’s necessary for Frampton to be moved up a level in his competition at this point in his career. It’s hard to argue with him, because Frampton is rolling over the guys that they’re putting in with him and he clearly needs to start facing better opponents.