By Ben Jacobs

Hugo Cázares travels to Northern Ireland for his intriguing clash with rising star Carl Frampton fully aware of the task at hand.  The former two time world champion has no doubt that he can win, but respects the abilities of the 27 year old Belfast man.

“I know he’s a strong fighter, he’s fought with the Mexican fighter Raúl Hirales and also Kiko Martínez,” Cázares told BoxingScene.

“I know that it’s going to be a really hard fight for both of us.  I’m working hard so that I can be in the best possible shape for this fight against Carl Frampton.”

Some fighters might be fazed at the prospect of travelling across the globe to fight one of boxing’s most talented young fighters, but an experience head such as Cázares, who has fought in the USA, Japan, Puerto Rico and Panama, doesn’t feel the hometown crowd who will be backing Frampton will pose any problems, nor affect what happens in the ring.

“The only thing that counts is what happens in the ring.  The fans, the people that come along can say what they want but nobody will help us in the ring.  I just do my job in the best way I can.

“And I plan on doing a great job against Carl Frampton and this will give me the chance to fight for another world title.  It will be against Mijares or Santa Cruz.”

Hugo concedes that his rival on April 4 has fought some good names but feels that he will provide the sternest test yet in ‘The Jackal’s’ 17 fight professional career.

“There’s a big difference between Kiko Martínez, Raúl Hirales and myself,” he explained. 

“I have a lot of experience, I have fought in various parts of the world and this gives me something extra and motivates me to beat him.

“Training has been excellent.  I just have to do the correct work in preparation to win and there’s still quite a lot of time for us to get in top condition.”

At 35 years of age one could forgive Cázares if he didn’t display the enthusiasm of a man perhaps 10 years younger, but the prospect of a world title shot for the winner of this bout fuels his fire.  The WBC has made this an eliminator for the winner between current holder Leo Santa Cruz and Cristian Mijares.

“I think that Santa Cruz will win because in Mijares’ last few fights he seems a little bit slower, he has less movement in his legs and I believe Santa Cruz is really strong.   Although I’m totally focused on Frampton right now, we’ll see what happens after this fight.”