PANOTIME season was in full swing in Belfast's Europa Hotel as Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg concluded their three-day press tour ahead of their unification fight in Manchester next year.
The grand ballroom in the hotel was packed to capacity long before Eddie Hearn entered with Scott Quigg and trainer Joe Gallagher in tow. Chants of “who are ya?” rang out, but the Bury fighter seemed to take it all in his stride as he pointed to his WBA belt.
It didn’t take long to establish who the real villain was, though, as Hearn could barely get a word in without somebody heckling the Matchroom boss. Indeed, Wedneday’s press conference wouldn’t have seemed out of place at the nearby Grand Opera House.
Frampton, who entered to a hero’s welcome, taunted his rival by holding up a sign which read 'real champion' and stated he doesn’t care how he wins, but vowed to end Quigg’s unbeaten record when the fighters eventually meet in February.
“We’ll take over Manchester on February 27. I am a better fighter. It doesn’t matter how I win," Frampton said.
“If it is on points, it will be a shut-out. If it is a stoppage, it will be spectacular.”
Quigg, who didn’t appear to be fazed by Frampton’s vocal support, countered: “They can’t get into the ring. It is just going to be me and him. I am better in every department and I will knock him out.”
Arguably, the best verbal sparring was done by the former world champion Barry McGuigan. In a heated exchanged with Hearn, the Cyclone Promotions chief rejected the notion he was ‘let into’ the deal by Hearn and Sky and told Hearn: “Carl doesn’t work for you - you work for Carl”, adding: “Don’t be so smug mate - you’re an a*****e.”
Clearly, there is no love lost between the pair, but the Clones native then revealed his reasoning for agreeing a deal with Hearn: “There comes a time in a guy’s career when these fights have to be made,” said McGuigan.
An atmosphere like that at press conference? Belfast you're amazing! #FramptonQuigg
— Carl Frampton (@RealCFrampton) November 18, 2015“If we had done it two years ago, it wouldn’t have been big enough. If we waited another two years, it would be too late for one of the fighters. It is the right time. We have built it up. We have negotiated and we have done a good job - the guys are going to be earning a lot of money and it is a great fight.
‘‘We are confident we are going to win - Carl is going to knock this kid out.”
Hearn was then pressed to state his case for his man - despite claiming in 2013 that he felt Frampton would be too strong for Quigg.
“Carl Frampton is one of the biggest stars in world boxing," Hearn said.
“This is a huge fight. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday morning and I don’t think there will be too many by 10am. This kind of fight is what we are in the business for. It is a privilege to be a part of it. People will be watching from all around the world.’’
He continued: “I have learned a lot of Scott Quigg in the last two years. I think July 18 showed us a lot about the two fighters.
"Scott Quigg’s demolition of Kiko Martinez was very impressive and Carl Frampton’s victory wasn’t. I think everyone agrees with that. Take nothing away from Carl, it isn’t a given, but I believe that Scott Quigg is going to win comfortably, I really do.”
Tickets for the bout, which is expected to be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports Box-Office, will go on sale on Friday at 9am from Ticketmaster, the Manchester Arena, Cyclone Promotions and Matchroom Boxing.
