Frampton out to put record straight in New Year Quigg clash
Published:
Lee Gormley | December 23, 2015
Frampton looks to put record straight
After months of negotiating, IBF super-bantamweight champion Carl Frampton will finally come face-to-face with WBA title-holder Scott Quigg on February 27th next year at the Manchester Arena and, following a contrast of previous performances, ‘the Jackal’ is looking for a strong statement.
Northern Ireland champion Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs) had to emerge from the canvas twice in the opening round of his American debut against Alejandro Gonzalez in July before securing a dominant points win, while Quigg (31-0-2, 23 KOs) rampantly disposed of Kiko Martinez in two rounds.
‘Jackal’ determined to prove his worth
Although, the 27-year-old ‘Jackal’ has since pinpointed his mistakes in the build-up and during that points triumph over Mexican Gonzalez, warning Bury-born fighter Quigg that he faces a different animal next year, when Frampton is odds-on 8/15 with Coral to win.
“I just want to put the record straight and put this to bed. People think that Scott Quigg is a better fighter than me – but I know he is not. And I will go out and prove that,” stated the Northern Irishman.
“I was too relaxed that night against Gonzalez and I remember seeing him walking about the hotel and thinking he was tall and skinny. “I was not totally on the job and I will not make that mistake again.
“Quigg’s people are only taking this fight because of that first round against Gonzalez but after that first round the next 11 were near perfect. I will not make the same mistake in Manchester.”
Quigg slams Frampton’s American bow
The defending IBF champion boasts a flawless professional record, along with 14 stoppage victories so far, but 27-year-old Mancunian Quigg will undoubtedly provide him with his sternest test to date and is 6/4 to triumph on home soil in 2016.
Belfast-born Frampton is already regarded as one of the most talented Irish fighters to have entered the ring, with his Boxing Hall of Fame-inducted mentor Barry McGuigan previously stating: “This kid could end up being the best Irish fighter who ever lived.”
Despite such a high-profile in the UK and Ireland, ‘the Jackal’, trained by esteemed coach Shane McGuigan, only fought on American soil for the first time last summer, but his next opponent believes he didn’t make a big enough impact in Texas.
“The way Barry bangs the drum about him, everyone was expecting him to go and do a job on Gonzalez. Then there was a bit of ‘what is Barry going on about?’” declared Quigg.
Gallagher predicts ‘easy fight’ for his man
The WBA champion’s trainer Joe Gallagher has enjoyed a great year, helping guide the likes of Anthony Crolla and Liam Smith to world titles, and he also upped the intensity ahead of next year’s super-bantamweight unification match-up.
“What I’ve seen of Scott Quigg in the gym and what I’m still waiting for him to do in the ring, that’s why I think it will be an easy fight,” slammed Gallagher.
“It was only the Kiko Martinez win when people took notice of Scott. It’s always been the Bible according to Barry [McGuigan] and no one’s really listened to us.
“Carl Frampton can only do one of two things – he’ll come forward like he did against Chris Avalos or he’ll revert to his amateur style like he did against Kiko. He calls it bamboozling, I call it running. He’ll be on the back foot, poking and poking and moving. But they don’t know what Quigg’s going to do.”
The war of words will continue between both camps throughout the winter period until Frampton and Quigg finally collide in the Manchester ring on February 27th, in what is sure to be an enthralling meeting between two distinguished world champions.
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