Paddy Barnes feels that Carl Frampton will have an easier time of it on Saturday when he takes on Leo Santa Cruz in a rematch at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
The Belfast fighter has already beaten the Mexican, doing so in July to win the WBA (Super) featherweight title with a majority decision win after 12 rounds of action in New York.
That fight had also seen him step up a weight class after world title success at Super Bantamweight level.
His fellow Belfast boxer Barnes is confident in Frampton's ability to make it two from two against Santa Cruz.
Speaking to Off The Ball from Los Angeles where he is training, Barnes said the familiarity Frampton would have gained from the last fight, will help even more this time.
"I think it's going to be a lot easier for him this fight than it was in the last fight because he knows what Santa Cruz is about, he knows how hard he punches," he said.
"So I think Carl's going to out-box him and press on in the middle of the fight and maybe stop Santa Cruz late on.
"Now he knows what Santa Cruz is about and in his own head he'll know what he can get away with as regards taking punches. For me, Carl Frampton will go in a more confident and relaxed fighter."
Barnes also feels Frampton's technical and smart style of boxing will prolong his career and expects the 29 year old to fight on for a few more years yet.
He also feels that Santa Cruz will struggle to adapt and change his style when it comes to trying to beat Frampton.
"I can't see how Santa Cruz can change," said Barnes.
On his own pro career, Barnes says he's "asked for three opponents" ahead of his next fight in February but adds that "it's hard to get the [big] names to sign because I've only had one fight".
As for ambitions, he's hoping to be in world title contention by the end of 2017.
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