Frampton - Matchroom weren't giving me enough priority

[johnswan1]

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/1792 ... the-future

Nothing changes for Carl “The Jackal” Frampton. The main objective remains the same, to win a world title in Belfast. The journey though has taken a little detour. And as one working relationship has ended, another one has begun.

At the end of last month, British boxing had its head swivelled when the Northern Irishman and his association with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing came to an end. Despite some interest from America, Frampton and his manager Barry McGuigan decided to team up with Matchroom’s domestic rival allegedly and boxing channel allegedly.

The four-fight deal for the 26 year old, which begins with an outing on July 20 at London’s Wembley Arena followed by three fights in his beloved Belfast, was an easy one to say yes to. Financially, the gain is greater too. The money received from his next bout as opposed to what he would have received to fighting on a Matchroom show in Hull, also in July, were “night and day” as Frampton described it.

“We weren’t a priority,” Frampton explained to RingTV.com.

That P-word has become the pivotal reason, it would seem, for the switch. Frampton said that the decision had been brewing for a long time.

“We want to be a priority and that’s what will happen on allegedly. I’m ranked (No. 3) with THE RING (at junior featherweight), for example, and I just wasn’t getting the exposure that the other Matchroom guys were getting,” he said. “I wasn’t one of the guys that was getting plugged on [Sky Television’s] Ringside every week. I was one of the better fighters in their stable.

“For a few months after the Kiko Martinez fight [in February] things went downhill. We were put on the backburner. We’d contact Matchroom and be told they’ll get back to me in 48 hours and then that would turn into three weeks. I’m not the youngest guy in the world, you know. I need to get moving with my career. We had interest from some U.S companies too and maybe that’s something we can look at in the future. I know a lot of people are concerned about me and this deal but they needn’t be. It’s a very good deal and people don’t need to worry. I’ve got a massive following behind me; it’s deeper than what people think. There’s a lot of good people behind me. I’m in very safe hands.”

McGuigan insisted that there is no bad blood between Team Frampton and Matchroom. Both have gone their separate ways, the focus now is on the long term plan for the European super bantamweight champion.

“We’re in our own boat but we’re sailing our own ship,” said a satisfied McGuigan.

“There’s a lot of boxing fans in Belfast and they’ve been starved of big shows. Eddie Hearn was telling us that it wasn’t cost effective for us to go there. It’s time for us to stand up and be counted for.”

With Carl’s future now taken care of for the next 12 months at least, thoughts can be turned to what the aptly named ‘Brick Fists’ does best. The 122-pound division is one that is glowing with talent, emerging stars and a Cuban that was once the idol of a 14-year-old Frampton.

At the 2001 World Amateur Championships in Belfast, a much younger ‘Jackal’ sat in awe as Guillermo Rigondeaux strutted his stuff in the youngster’s home city en route to a bantamweight gold medal.

Fast forward 12 years and ‘El Chacal’ [yep that’s right, it also means ‘The Jackal’] now sits as top dog at junior featherweight. His taking apart of the seemingly unstoppable Nonito Donaire was his showcase to the world. The problem now is where does he go from here? A fight with Vic Darchinyan might be in the cards, which seems a case of one step forward and two back.

Frampton says that his former hero will struggle to find opponents willing to take him on.

“What does Rigondeaux do with his career now?” asked Frampton.

“People don’t want to fight him now. They’ve seen what he can do. He beat Donaire and now he’s one of the best in the world and he can do what he wants. If he decided to put his foot on the gas in his fights he could put people away. Fair play to Darchinyan if he takes that fight but I can only see that being a one-sided beatdown.”

The subject of a showdown between himself and the Irish-managed Cuban is already out there in the public domain but realistically Frampton knows he’s not ready for him yet.

“I know I’m not ready but give me a couple more fights and a bit more experience and I’ll be ready for him. He’s had less pro fights than me but he’s got a wealth of experience,” he admitted.

At time of writing, Frampton had a ranking of three with the IBF and six with the WBC. The current champions from each governing body are Jonathan Romero and Victor Terrazas respectively. Romero could be soon facing Jeffrey Mathabula whilst Terrazas could be facing the growingly popular Leo Santa Cruz on the Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez undercard. Frampton doesn’t care who of the three mentioned he would have to face but perhaps surprisingly, both he and McGuigan would welcome a clash with Cruz.

“I think Leo Santa Cruz is made for me, he has his hands high and throws a lot of punches,” Frampton commented.

“Leo Santa Cruz is a terrific fighter,” said McGuigan.

“He wears you down. He’s like a mini version of Antonio Margarito. Golden Boy Promotions have said they’d love to work with us at some point down the line. There are some exciting fights ahead. We’ve got a good set-up and good people behind us and there’s no concern about paying whatever amount it takes to bring these guys over here.”

And with Frampton’s fan base, particularly back in Northern Ireland, growing with each fight. There becomes the increasing possibility that a world title fight may have to take place outdoors. Frampton’s backyard is the Odyssey Arena. A venue that can seat around 11,000 but as was proved against Martinez can sound like there are three times as many inside. His fights sell-out quicker each time and his weigh-ins are equally as mobbed and frenetic.

“The whole build-up to the Martinez fight was amazing, the weigh-in was incredible,” Frampton recalled.

“In Belfast three, four days before the fight I was walking down the street and there was people shaking my hands and beeping their horns. It’s a real boxing city. They’ve been crying out for a guy who realistically can be a world champion. There’s been guys in the past but they’ve really latched on to me. Belfast is one of the biggest fight cities out there and when I fight in front of them it gives me that extra five to 10 per cent. I know now it’s just gonna get bigger and better.”

[tear up]

Good read I'm a fan of frampton and wish him well I think matchroom r takin far to many fighters on they will have to start quein up to get on shows soon my turn your turn thing

[DMA1987]

I do know Eddie said in his last interview with IFilm that he had the IBF title fight in the bag for Belfast in May. They took too long doing their own thing and missed it when they were back. But I guess he is talking about being a priority in terms of between fight promotion, which is fair enough I guess.

Good read regardless

[milpool]

I'm surprised he thought he wasn't a priority as it seemed that Frampton was one of Eddie's favourites?

[lefty]

Here's one where they talk Quigg as well:

McGuigan and Frampton on Quigg etc.

Really good piece there Terry

[thewarcap]

Here's one where they talk Quigg as well:

McGuigan and Frampton on Quigg etc.

Get your own thread Terry!

Yours was a cracking piece by the way. Biblical as Jeremy Clarkson would say.

[thewarcap]

Thanks for posting my work mate. Much appreciated.

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/1792 ... the-future

Nothing changes for Carl “The Jackal” Frampton. The main objective remains the same, to win a world title in Belfast. The journey though has taken a little detour. And as one working relationship has ended, another one has begun.

At the end of last month, British boxing had its head swivelled when the Northern Irishman and his association with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing came to an end. Despite some interest from America, Frampton and his manager Barry McGuigan decided to team up with Matchroom’s domestic rival allegedly and boxing channel Allegedly channel.

The four-fight deal for the 26 year old, which begins with an outing on July 20 at London’s Wembley Arena followed by three fights in his beloved Belfast, was an easy one to say yes to. Financially, the gain is greater too. The money received from his next bout as opposed to what he would have received to fighting on a Matchroom show in Hull, also in July, were “night and day” as Frampton described it.

“We weren’t a priority,” Frampton explained to RingTV.com.

That P-word has become the pivotal reason, it would seem, for the switch. Frampton said that the decision had been brewing for a long time.

“We want to be a priority and that’s what will happen on Allegedly channel. I’m ranked (No. 3) with THE RING (at junior featherweight), for example, and I just wasn’t getting the exposure that the other Matchroom guys were getting,” he said. “I wasn’t one of the guys that was getting plugged on [Sky Television’s] Ringside every week. I was one of the better fighters in their stable.

“For a few months after the Kiko Martinez fight [in February] things went downhill. We were put on the backburner. We’d contact Matchroom and be told they’ll get back to me in 48 hours and then that would turn into three weeks. I’m not the youngest guy in the world, you know. I need to get moving with my career. We had interest from some U.S companies too and maybe that’s something we can look at in the future. I know a lot of people are concerned about me and this deal but they needn’t be. It’s a very good deal and people don’t need to worry. I’ve got a massive following behind me; it’s deeper than what people think. There’s a lot of good people behind me. I’m in very safe hands.”

McGuigan insisted that there is no bad blood between Team Frampton and Matchroom. Both have gone their separate ways, the focus now is on the long term plan for the European super bantamweight champion.

“We’re in our own boat but we’re sailing our own ship,” said a satisfied McGuigan.

“There’s a lot of boxing fans in Belfast and they’ve been starved of big shows. Eddie Hearn was telling us that it wasn’t cost effective for us to go there. It’s time for us to stand up and be counted for.”

With Carl’s future now taken care of for the next 12 months at least, thoughts can be turned to what the aptly named ‘Brick Fists’ does best. The 122-pound division is one that is glowing with talent, emerging stars and a Cuban that was once the idol of a 14-year-old Frampton.

At the 2001 World Amateur Championships in Belfast, a much younger ‘Jackal’ sat in awe as Guillermo Rigondeaux strutted his stuff in the youngster’s home city en route to a bantamweight gold medal.

Fast forward 12 years and ‘El Chacal’ [yep that’s right, it also means ‘The Jackal’] now sits as top dog at junior featherweight. His taking apart of the seemingly unstoppable Nonito Donaire was his showcase to the world. The problem now is where does he go from here? A fight with Vic Darchinyan might be in the cards, which seems a case of one step forward and two back.

Frampton says that his former hero will struggle to find opponents willing to take him on.

“What does Rigondeaux do with his career now?” asked Frampton.

“People don’t want to fight him now. They’ve seen what he can do. He beat Donaire and now he’s one of the best in the world and he can do what he wants. If he decided to put his foot on the gas in his fights he could put people away. Fair play to Darchinyan if he takes that fight but I can only see that being a one-sided beatdown.”

The subject of a showdown between himself and the Irish-managed Cuban is already out there in the public domain but realistically Frampton knows he’s not ready for him yet.

“I know I’m not ready but give me a couple more fights and a bit more experience and I’ll be ready for him. He’s had less pro fights than me but he’s got a wealth of experience,” he admitted.

At time of writing, Frampton had a ranking of three with the IBF and six with the WBC. The current champions from each governing body are Jonathan Romero and Victor Terrazas respectively. Romero could be soon facing Jeffrey Mathabula whilst Terrazas could be facing the growingly popular Leo Santa Cruz on the Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez undercard. Frampton doesn’t care who of the three mentioned he would have to face but perhaps surprisingly, both he and McGuigan would welcome a clash with Cruz.

“I think Leo Santa Cruz is made for me, he has his hands high and throws a lot of punches,” Frampton commented.

“Leo Santa Cruz is a terrific fighter,” said McGuigan.

“He wears you down. He’s like a mini version of Antonio Margarito. Golden Boy Promotions have said they’d love to work with us at some point down the line. There are some exciting fights ahead. We’ve got a good set-up and good people behind us and there’s no concern about paying whatever amount it takes to bring these guys over here.”

And with Frampton’s fan base, particularly back in Northern Ireland, growing with each fight. There becomes the increasing possibility that a world title fight may have to take place outdoors. Frampton’s backyard is the Odyssey Arena. A venue that can seat around 11,000 but as was proved against Martinez can sound like there are three times as many inside. His fights sell-out quicker each time and his weigh-ins are equally as mobbed and frenetic.

“The whole build-up to the Martinez fight was amazing, the weigh-in was incredible,” Frampton recalled.

“In Belfast three, four days before the fight I was walking down the street and there was people shaking my hands and beeping their horns. It’s a real boxing city. They’ve been crying out for a guy who realistically can be a world champion. There’s been guys in the past but they’ve really latched on to me. Belfast is one of the biggest fight cities out there and when I fight in front of them it gives me that extra five to 10 per cent. I know now it’s just gonna get bigger and better.”

[thewarcap]

Here's one where they talk Quigg as well:

McGuigan and Frampton on Quigg etc.

Get your own thread Terry!

Yours was a cracking piece by the way. Biblical as Jeremy Clarkson would say.

I'm a good Catholic boy.

I've already got my seat booked downstairs.

Have mercy on my soil

[Crease]

I don't blame Frampton for leaving Matchroom (though I do think that Eddie Hearn is running the best boxing promotions in our part of the world) if he feels that he could do better with another promoter.

[donal]

leaving matchroom seemed a bad move at the time but it might work out but going with franky is a risk i think sure you know what he's like

[Parson Cross]

Eddie Hearn has a nice problem right now - but down the line could have a nasty problem.
Everybody wants to sign - he can take his pick.
However he has his set dates to fill and all of a sudden there may not be enough to keep everyone happy - especially headliners.
I think we all know about boxers egos and who thinks they should take priority!
What would happen if Sky reduce the number of dates next season ?
I know it's an old chestnut but this is what happens when monopolies are created.
I detect from the Frampton defection therein lay the problem.
He wanted to be the main man in the Promo Co headlining regularly in Belfast.
Eddie needs to be all things to all men.
Nice problem for now ...

[DMA1987]

Andy Ayling's take. It's been all go this week, that's for sure: Battle of Brentwood

'It can't be unethical, because if it was it wouldn't be allowed' . Did he have a straight face?

[Finn]

Seems like he has good reasons and that wanting to fight in belfast is a big factor i respect that, not enough fighters make the effort to bring the big fights to their home fans.

[Final round]

Quigg vs Frampton will never get made now.

[lefty]

Andy Ayling's take. It's been all go this week, that's for sure: Battle of Brentwood

'It can't be unethical, because if it was it wouldn't be allowed' . Did he have a straight face?

God knows, it was over the phone! I've always found him a witty guy and funny with it so you never know when he's taking the rise or not.

Have you ever had big fallings out with certain boxing figures over the years for what you've written Terry?

[DMA1987]

Andy Ayling's take. It's been all go this week, that's for sure: Battle of Brentwood

'It can't be unethical, because if it was it wouldn't be allowed' . Did he have a straight face?

God knows, it was over the phone! I've always found him a witty guy and funny with it so you never know when he's taking the rise or not.

I don't like a lot about what he says, but I have seen a few interviews with him and he comes across as you mention.

[Deserter]

FW reveals £200,000 offer; Quigg won's budge, wants the WBA title

Quigg's interview is up next, then it's on to the next one.

Have you ever had big fallings out with certain boxing figures over the years for what you've written Terry?

I'll DM you the full details. Along with my card number, PIN, penis length and girth and other personal information

[Final round]

No Scott.. the public want to see you fight Carl Frampton not somebody Salinas.
I'm really surprised Quigg didn't want to fight Frampton for 200 grand. Eddie yeah but I thought Quigg would have risen to the challenge.
They offered it before he was signed by Matchroom then.
Also Wazza must have impressed with the 'I'm not in the Kevin Mitchell business I'm in the Carl Frampton business' because since then Hearn has used it and now Quigg.

[lefty]

FW reveals £200,000 offer; Quigg won's budge, wants the WBA title

Quigg's interview is up next, then it's on to the next one.

Have you ever had big fallings out with certain boxing figures over the years for what you've written Terry?

I'll DM you the full details. Along with my card number, PIN, penis length and girth and other personal information

Prick ... i wasnt expecting details just whether you had!

[DMA1987]

No Scott.. the public want to see you fight Carl Frampton not somebody Salinas.
I'm really surprised Quigg didn't want to fight Frampton for 200 grand. Eddie yeah but I thought Quigg would have risen to the challenge.
They offered it before he was signed by Matchroom then.
Also Wazza must have impressed with the 'I'm not in the Kevin Mitchell business I'm in the Carl Frampton business' because since then Hearn has used it and now Quigg.

I think they are taking the piss with it rather than thinking it to be a great line.

They are still young, and if Quigg has a legit shot at a world title soon then why not pursue that instead, especially seeing as in a few years he will probably get 10x that for the fight.

[Final round]

True DMA but he may also get rendered unconscious well before reaching those heady purse heights . A hundred odd grand in the bank would help him on his way.

[DMA1987]

True DMA but he may also get rendered unconscious well before reaching those heady purse heights . A hundred odd grand in the bank would help him on his way.

As could any fighter at any time. We have got a fighter turning down the money to follow his dream of being a world champ. 200k would be massive to Quigg at this moment in time, so it takes a lot of heart to turn it down and he should be applauded for that really.

I don't think he is ducking or anything, but getting himself into a power position for future negotiations is a brave move, and a move I can respect.

[Final round]

True DMA but he may also get rendered unconscious well before reaching those heady purse heights . A hundred odd grand in the bank would help him on his way.

As could any fighter at any time. We have got a fighter turning down the money to follow his dream of being a world champ. 200k would be massive to Quigg at this moment in time, so it takes a lot of heart to turn it down and he should be applauded for that really.

I don't think he is ducking or anything, but getting himself into a power position for future negotiations is a brave move, and a move I can respect.

It's his decision and good luck to him but I think he's clearly ducking Frampton.