Frampton carrot could be spur Quigg needs

SCOTT QUIGG has his latest world title fight in the early hours of tomorrow morning against unbeaten Mexican Oscar Valdez for the WBO featherweight title.

Just over two years since his only defeat – a spilt-decision loss to Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena which saw him relinquish his WBA superbantamweight crown (right) – the Bury boxer gets another shot at the big time in California.

He has comfortably won his three bouts since that 2016 setback but now steps up to take on the dangerous champion.

Valdez has won all of his 23 professional fights, 19 early, and won his world title in July 2016 when inflicting Argentine Matias Rueda’s sole loss. He’s defended his belt three times, once by KO, but he too is facing a tougher opponent in the Brit.

The big carrot for Quigg, now under the guidance of legendary coach Freddie Roach in Los Angeles, is a potential rematch with Frampton should he become world champion this weekend.

Valdez is a short price at 2-7 with Quigg a tasty looking 11-4.

The Mexican to enhance his KO rate is 13-8 and 11-8 to win on points. Englishman Quigg is 7-1 for a victory on the scorecards and 4-1 to land a KO of his own. In rugby union, Ireland could wrap up the Six Nations this weekend with a bonuspoint victory over Scotland in Dublin. However, the Scots proved their worth when seeing off England a fortnight ago and are worthy of support with 10 points on the handicap.

This would give England hope and they will be going all out for a bonus point in France to close the gap on the Irish.

Back England -8pts at evens to set up a mouth-watering St Patrick’s Day clash at Twickenham between the two for the title next weekend.