Sport

Frampton stripped of WBA title as Santa Cruz talks continue

Carl Frampton came out on top of his unification bout with Scott Quigg in February, but has now been stripped of his WBA belt. Picture by PA
Carl Frampton came out on top of his unification bout with Scott Quigg in February, but has now been stripped of his WBA belt. Picture by PA Carl Frampton came out on top of his unification bout with Scott Quigg in February, but has now been stripped of his WBA belt. Picture by PA

CARL Frampton has been stripped of his WBA world super bantamweight title after his camp failed to begin negotiations with Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The Tigers Bay fighter, who still holds the IBF strap won against Kiko Martinez in 2014, added the WBA belt when he defeated Bury’s Scott Quigg in a unification fight at the Manchester Arena on February 27.

However, the WBA today stripped him of the title after he failed to confirm that he would fight his mandatory opponent, the Cuban maestro Rigondeaux.

WBA chairman Gilberto Jesus Mendoza confirmed the decision, saying: "In light of Frampton's announced intention to face an opponent other than his mandatory, and for failing to respond to WBA inquiries as to his intent, Frampton's recognition as champion is removed.

"Rigondeaux shall come out of recess and face interim champion Moises Flores as his mandatory defence on or before August 1, 2016. If Flores or Rigondeaux wish to face any other opponent, the WBA may consider an application for special permit consistent with the rules of the WBA."

After his victory over Quigg, Frampton and manager Barry McGuigan made it clear they preferred a match-up with Los Angeles-based Mexican Leo Santa Cruz rather than a meeting with ‘Rigo’.

The Santa Cruz fight – which would mean Frampton moving up to featherweight - was rumoured to be close after it appeared on the listings of boxing mogul Al Haymon’s Showtime television channel for this summer.

However, all has gone quiet on that front in recent weeks, and there has been some speculation of a possible showdown against Wales’s IBF featherweight king Lee Selby.

The WBA previously stripped Rigondeaux for inactivity and promoted Quigg from their regular world title to their super version.