Frampton, who defeated Gallagher’s mount in February, heads into the clash with fellow-unbeaten Santa Cruz as the underdog, although the Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year says ‘The Jackal’ can cause something of an upset at the Barclays Center.
“Frampton has a good chance against Santa Cruz going into the fight as I don’t think the champion has had the best camp,” Gallagher exclusively told World Boxing News.
“I think Santa Cruz’s dad being ill has troubled him, although I don’t know the full magnitude of the story there. That could work the other way and mentally motivate him so I don’t know if it has affected him. I know some fighters it would do.
“Obviously, his dad has some part in training him as well so you just don’t know.”
At 29, Frampton is coming into the peak of his career, and after being tight at the 122 pound limit, Gallagher says the jump up to featherweight could work in favour of the Belfast man – along with the New York venue.
“The four pound difference will give Carl a bit more leeway and he won’t have to kill himself to make 122 anymore, so I think it will be an interesting fight,” he said.
“They have done well pulling Santa Cruz over to New York instead of fighting him on the West Side as well. Making weight will be different over in New York.
“It’s like when John Murray fought Brandon Rios and we managed to get him over to New York. He eventually failed weight, so to take Santa Cruz out of his own environment is a good move and I think that levels the playing field a bit more,” added Gallagher.
