Sport

Frampton fight a 'dead duck' for July says Hearn

CARL Frampton's summer blockbuster with Scott Quigg isn't going to happen and Eddie Hearn says the Belfast 'Jackal' is losing the opportunity to make himself "filthy rich".

Hearn blames "ego from the Frampton side" for denying boxing fans the opportunity to enjoy a long-awaited July showdown between IBF super-bantamweight king Frampton and WBA regular champ Quigg (pictured), who could now turn his attention towards a duel with Kiko Martinez on July 18.

Matchroom Sport boss Hearn claims that his Cyclone Promotions counterpart Barry McGuigan didn't attend any of the negotiations for the proposed pay-per-view battle.

He says the Cyclone camp turned down three offers - a 50-50 purse split, a 60-40 split for the winner and a £1.5million offer - without making any of their own.

"It's a dead duck for July," he confirmed.

"It's very frustrating. It's all about ego from the Frampton side. You can sit there all day and say 'Carl sells more tickets' but when you look at who is bringing all the revenue to the table, the answer is Scott Quigg (right) and Matchroom."

Hearn said that the personality clash between himself and McGuigan has emerged as a serious obstacle in the road to the Frampton-Quigg war. He was critical of the Clones man's business acumen.

"Barry McGuigan won't even entertain a face-to-face conversation," he said.

"He is Carl's official manager so he's not really carrying out his duty to his fighter by attending the meetings.

"He does that because he's got a problem with me so he sends his son [Jake], but he's not Carl's official manager. How serious can you be if you won't even send your official manager to the meetings?

"Everybody is involved in these negotiations and email chains except Carl Frampton (left) which is frustrating because Carl is a bright guy and I know he wants to make as much money as possible."

Hearn said his recent appearance on Sky Sports when he brandished a cheque made out to Frampton for £1.5million was a "publicity stunt" designed to push negotiations along.

"When I negotiate and try and do a job for my fighter, ego and personal relationships don't come into it. It's just about providing for my fighter," he said.

"I never let emotion get in the way of making the correct business decision - they do. Unfortunately they want to be seen to be doing it their way. Unfortunately there is no money involved with their way." n Seconds Out.....................P52/53