ANDRES Gutierrez is ready to be “the bad guy” and ruin Carl Frampton’s homecoming party.
The Guadalajara-based 24-year-old Mexican has squeezed 37 fights into a seven-year pro career that began when he was just 17. A draw against Jesus Ruiz back in 2011 and a first loss, against Cristian Mijares last April, are the only blemishes on a career record that has seen him pick up a long list of minor belts.
He feels a major breakthrough is imminent and fancies that Frampton – on the comeback after the first loss of his career – is vulnerable.
“I’m very confident, I’m feeling strong and I’m ready,” he said through an interpreter at yesterday’s open workout at Victoria Square.
“I’ll be using the uppercut, keeping it close. I’ll be moving around, but keeping it close.”
He rates Frampton highly but feels that the age difference between the fighters strengthens his hand for what would be a shock win on Saturday night.
“The preparations we have made and the age factor gives me a lot of confidence,” he said.
“I have all the guts I need to go for it, I’m eager to get it and I have the attitude to win.”
He studied Frampton’s last two fights against Leo Santa Cruz and now intends to leapfrog him and get his fellow countryman into the ring before the year is out.
“They were very good fights, wars,” he said.
“I watched them and I learned a lot form those fights and I don’t know how Frampton is, but now is my time.”
This isn’t Gutierrez’s first time on a major fight night. A few years ago he was on a ‘Canelo’ Alvarez world title bill at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas as part of an undercard that also included Santa Cruz and Marcos Maidana.
He says he feels “happy and thrilled about fighting in Belfast” and adds: “I’m more than ready to be the bad guy and take everything the crowd can yell at me.
“They can’t break me – I’m going to do everything I can to win on Saturday night.
“I’m 24 and I’ve got all the tools I need to win. Frampton is good, he’s strong and we’ve been preparing for him. It’s going to be a tough fit; it’s going to be good fight.”
