5 Fighters to Watch on the Undercard to Carl Frampton vs. Scott Quigg
Sometimes, when you go out to eat, the starter ends up being more memorable than the main course. You arrived at the restaurant with great expectations for the beef but left thinking only about those prawns.
The same thing can happen in boxing, too.
While the two boxers topping the bill get the majority of the media attention prior to fight night, those who appear on the undercard can steal the show.
Sometimes, the main event ends up being overhyped to such a degree that it cannot do anything but fail to live up to the high standards expected.
It is hoped that is not the case with the unification bout between world champions Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg.
Their fight has been a long time in the making. The two super bantamweight rivals have been linked to each other throughout their careers but will finally meet in the ring on Feb. 27 in Manchester, England.
However, it is not just Frampton and Quigg who will want to impress at the Manchester Arena.
Bleacher Report has taken a look at five fighters on the same bill who will be determined to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Gavin McDonnell
1 of 5
Super bantamweight Gavin McDonnell can take another step toward fighting for a world title when he goes up against Jorge Sanchez.
McDonnell (14-0-2, 4 KOs) will hope to pick up the vacant WBC Silver title in Manchester. More importantly for him, however, is the winner of the bout will also be next in line for a shot at the full WBC belt.
The boxer from Doncaster, England, has seen up close just what it takes to go all the way—Gavin's twin brother Jamie is the reigning WBA world champion at bantamweight.
Both work alongside each other with trainer Dave Coldwell, who told Sky Sports: "They put the effort in, they listen and they do what they told."
After success at British and European level, Gavin has the chance to step out of his brother's shadow.
Beating Sanchez, though, will not be an easy task. El Bufalo (15-0, 9 KOs) from Panama has a 60 per cent career knockout ratio, although he has never fought outside of his homeland.
Isaac Lowe
2 of 5
The fight between Isaac Lowe and Marco McCullough on Feb. 27 has the potential to be a cracker.
The two featherweights go head-to-head for the vacant Commonwealth title that was last held by Englishman Josh Warrington.
Lowe (11-0-1, 4 KOs) has already been English champion. He was last seen defending that belt with a draw against Ryan Doyle at the end of 2015.
The 22-year-old from Morecambe, England, understands the importance of appearing on such a big show in Manchester, per Adam Lord of the Lancaster Guardian: "I want to prove to everyone in Britain that I am world class."
While the Westgate Warrior has youth on his side, McCullough—who is hardly over the hill at 26—has the greater experience.
The Belfast-born boxer (14-2, 9 KOs) stopped Willie Casey to win the Irish title in 2013, while he has also fought at the European level.
According to Nathan Hanna of Belfast Live, McCullough feels his past will help him succeed in the future: "Isaac is a talented lad but I have boxed at a higher level and I'm 100 per cent confident that I will be walking away with that Commonwealth belt on February 27."
Hosea Burton
3 of 5
Hosea Burton is involved in an intriguing undercard bout on Feb. 27, as he takes on fellow unbeaten light heavyweight Miles Shinkwin for the vacant British belt.
Burton—the cousin of heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury—is trained by Joe Gallagher, who will be a busy man on the night, as he will also lead Scott Quigg's corner in the main event.
Born in Newcastle but now based in Manchester, Burton has a 14-0 (5 KOs) record as a pro.
The Hammer hasn't quite lived up to his nickname in terms of delivering knockout blows, but the time is right for him to step up and face a serious threat.
Shinkwin—who is 12-0 (6 KOs)—should definitely provide a test.
Someone's "0" will have to go in the battle to claim a prestigious belt that has been previously held by great names such as Randolph Turpin, John Conteh, Dennis Andries and Clinton Woods.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Ryan Burnett
4 of 5
Ryan Burnett continues his boxing education against Frenchman Anthony Settoul.
Burnett should not lack for support on the night. The Northern Irishman will have plenty of compatriots inside the arena, since fellow Belfast boy Carl Frampton is heading the card.
Trained by Adam Booth, Burnett picked up the British title last time out with a points win over the experienced Jason Booth in November 2015.
The 23-year-old bantamweight (12-0, 9 KOs) didn't quite manage to dazzle on debut for his new promoters, Matchroom Boxing, although that had a lot to do with the tricky opponent he was up against.
Against Settoul (21-4, 8 KOs), however, the Belfast-born fighter is determined to put on a show as he returns to the Manchester Arena for a third straight outing.
Per Isaac Robinson of Sky Sports, he said: "The atmosphere is going to be electric and that's going to lift me to a career-best performance. This is a massive opportunity for me to impress on a huge occasion, and while I know Settoul will be coming over to spoil the party, there's no way I will let him."
Charlie Edwards
5 of 5
Charlie Edwards is a little man who can make a big impression in the professional game.
The flyweight from London left the Great Britain amateur team to try his luck in the paid ranks at the start of 2015.
He picked up the English title in just his fifth pro fight, beating Louis Norman on points. He has since successfully defended the belt once, against Phil Smith in Manchester.
Former flyweight world champion Charlie Magri believes Edwards can follow in his footsteps by going all the way to the top, telling Matchroom Boxing in January 2015: "He’s got a great chance to become a world champion, he looks the part and you can feel it just talking to him."
The 23-year-old next faces Luke Wilton (16-4-1, 7 KOs). According to Elliot Foster of BoxingScene.com, the bout will be an eliminator for the vacant British title.
A former challenger for the British and Commonwealth belts, Wilton has also shared a ring with reigning IBF bantamweight champion Lee Haskins.
He has only been stopped once inside the distance, so Edwards should be prepared to work hard if he wants to make it seven wins on the spin.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
