Northern Ireland

Carl Frampton v Barry McGuigan courtroom showdown listed for two weeks next May

Boxer Carl Frampton's courtroom showdown with former manager Barry McGuigan over allegedly withheld earnings will take place next May
Boxer Carl Frampton's courtroom showdown with former manager Barry McGuigan over allegedly withheld earnings will take place next May Boxer Carl Frampton's courtroom showdown with former manager Barry McGuigan over allegedly withheld earnings will take place next May

CARL Frampton's courtroom showdown with ex-manager Barry McGuigan will take place next May.

A judge listed the former world champion's actions over allegedly withheld earnings for a two-week hearing at the High Court in Belfast.

The Tigers Bay-born boxer is suing Barry McGuigan, his wife Sandra McGuigan and Cyclone Promotions (UK) Ltd, claiming a failure to pay purse money from his bouts.

His writs form the basis of a counter-claim to separate proceedings brought against him in London by the McGuigan family-run Cyclone Promotions.

Nicknamed 'The Jackal', the 31-year-old former two-weight world champion split with Cyclone last year.

He is facing an action from his former promoters for alleged breach of contract.

Mr Frampton is counter-suing on a number of grounds, including an alleged appropriation of fight earnings and a breach of the terms of an International Promotional Agreement (IPA).

His lawsuit refers to contracts for fights in Northern Ireland, England and the United States.

It involves claims against the now dissolved Cyclone Promotions UK Ltd - of which Mr and Mrs McGuigan were directors - over purse fees, broadcasting rights, ticket sales and merchandising from Mr Frampton's second world title bout against Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas in January 2017.

Lawyers for the McGuigans have insisted all of the allegations are categorically denied.

At a preliminary hearing, counsel for Mr McGuigan accused Mr Frampton of lying about profit arrangements as part of a bid to blacken his client's name in public.

Reference made to a 30 per cent share of the profits of promotions was described in court as "simply dishonest".

Mr Frampton is due to challenge Josh Warrington for his IBF featherweight title in Manchester later this month.

Neither the boxer nor his former manager were present in court as Mr Justice Colton set out a timetable for their legal battle.

"I propose listing the action for May 13," the judge said.

Following advice from senior counsel he agreed to set aside two weeks for the trial.