McGuigan banking on Frampton birthday bash

Barry McGuigan is hoping for the perfect birthday present from his protégé tomorrow night, with the Clones Cyclone calling on Carl Frampton to deliver a knockout in his first world-title defence.

The undefeated super-bantamweight world champion (19-0) defends his IBF crown for the first time since defeating Kiko Martinez five months ago, taking on Californian Chris Avalos (25-2) at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena.

Avalos has been vocally dismissive of the champion since arriving in the northern city, claiming he will knock Frampton out midway through their bout (scheduled for 12 rounds), but McGuigan, who turns 54 tomorrow, wants a stoppage win from Frampton to be the icing on his cake.