SCOTT Quigg’s world title fight with Yoandris Salinas is too close to call according to his Bolton-based trainer Joe Gallagher, who believes it is a “genuine 50-50” match-up.

Gallagher, who trains the Bury boxer out of Amir Khan’s Gloves Gym, has no doubt his 24-year-old protégé will one day become world champion.

But he is concerned that Quigg’s shot at the vacant WBA super-bantamweight belt may have come a little too soon.

“We know we have got a difficult fight on our hands, but that’s how it should be when you are going for a world title,” said the trainer.

“Not many people in this country will have heard of Salinas, so will back Scott to win easily, but I can tell you this is a proper, genuine 50-50 fight.

“I have never seen a bad Cuban boxer and this guy is 27, undefeated and in his prime, whereas Scott is still learning his trade.

“The fight has come around a little soon – we are ahead of schedule – but if Scott loses he will learn from it and come back stronger.

“In my opinion, there is much more to come from Scott and he will spend many years on the world stage, irrespective of the outcome of this fight.”

One thing Quigg can be sure of is the biggest possible stage.

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed last week that he was looking at putting the fight on at Gigg Lane, the home of Bury FC, turning it into “Quigg Lane” for the night.

But if the scheduling is not possible, the Bury fan will be given his pick of second billing on the David Haye v Tyson Fury fight at the Manchester Arena in September or the Carl Froch v George Groves clash, which is also expected to take place in Manchester in late November.

“Scott is in a fantastic position,” said Hearn.

“He will either be headlining in his home town or on the same bill as the most highly anticipated British heavyweight bout in recent memory or the best super-middleweight match-up since Benn verus Eubank.”