When Carl Frampton stands across the ring from undefeated IBF featherweight titleholder Josh Warrington on Saturday night at Manchester Arena in England, he’ll likely feel supremely confident in his ability to end Warrington’s championship reign just one fight into it.

Those looking to back Frampton on the boxing betting market might feel similar when seeing the moneyline odds for the fight. Bookmakers such as 888Sport and SugarHouse favor Frampton (26-1, 15 KOs), -215, over Warrington (27-0, 6 KOs), +175, and they do so for all sorts of very good reasons.

Warrington vs Frampton Betting Preview

Frampton the Clear Pick to Dethrone Warrington

Frampton possesses better skills, higher pedigree, more precise footwork and more devastating punching power than Warrington. Judging by just about any existing measure, Frampton is the clear pick to come out ahead.

Warrington is a good-looking fighter who’s fun to watch, but against Frampton, he’ll find himself outmanned at almost every turn. If Warrington carries any advantage at all heading into the fight, it’s hand speed. But even that paradigm might only exist because he’s such a fierce and aggressive pressure fighter.

Warrington looks fast because he fights fast. Frampton, on the other hand, is just as adept at throwing punches, but he’s a topnotch counterpuncher, too.

Warrington only has one way to win. Frampton has many. So even Warrington’s possible advantage in speed won’t match up all that well against Frampton’s adaptable style.

Frampton’s Impressive Resume

Frampton has already proven himself to be elite at the world level. The best version of Frampton is a level or two above any version of Warrington. The Irishman’s illustrious history includes world titles in two different weight classes, including his career-defining win over Leo Santa Cruz halfway across the world in Brooklyn in 2016.

Frampton suffered his only loss in a razor-thin decision in the rematch with Santa Cruz six months later -- a competitive fight against one of the world’s best. Since then, Frampton has reeled off three straight wins, and there was nothing in any of them to suggest he’s on his way down.

Frampton’s Career Not Slowing Down

Frampton always thought he’d retire by age 32.

But after a canceled comeback fight against Andres Gutierrez last year, Frampton left Barry McGuigan’s Cyclone Promotions and trainer Shane McGuigan for new promoter Frank Warren and Manchester-based trainer Jaime Moore.

The change seems to have propelled Frampton to become fully actualized. In fact, Frampton told BBC.com he never really enjoyed boxing before, but now sees himself moving toward bigger and better things.

Bigger Fights Await Winner

Talented fighters like Frampton can go a long way in the sport, but talented ones with real passion can make history. Frampton hopes a win over Warrington puts him back in line for way bigger fights than just domestic battles including the opportunity to return to the U.S. to complete a trilogy with Santa Cruz.

Unlike Warrington, Frampton is fighting for more than just the featherweight title belt. He’s fighting to etch his name in the pantheon Northern Irish boxing history.

Warrington is a solid fighter. He defeated a bloodied Lee Selby in a rough mess that was awarded to the hometown fighter by split decision. It was truly an excellent performance by Warrington in the biggest fight of his career.

But when Warrington strides forward to the center of the ring on Saturday, he won’t be meeting a fighter as flawed as Selby there.

Warrington vs Frampton Best Bets

Backing Frampton at -215 is the best pick on the board. ESPN.com’s boxing betting insider, Johnny Wilds, thinks getting Frampton at anything less than -400 is an outright steal.

I feel the Frampton line of -190 is Xmas early. #boxing

— Johnny Wilds (@JohnnyWBoxing) December 17, 2018

Warrington doesn’t have the power to be all that competitive after the first half of the fight, and Frampton will start pulling away late.

The most likely result of the fight is Frampton by decision, so backing Frampton on points at +110 isn’t a bad way to go to help maximize winnings. But it’s not uncommon for matchups like this to produce late knockouts, so if you’re deadset on picking Frampton by stoppage on the rounds market, look for anything after Round 7. Warrington is tough, but even tough fighters tire late and sometimes the accumulation of punches can just be too much.