The promotional war that has broken out with regards to putting arguably the biggest British fight outside of Kell Brook and Amir Khan together shows no sign of abating.
Yesterday saw Matchroom sport boss Eddie Hearn present a 1.5 million pound cheque and public offer, ostensibly for Carl Frampton, to sign on the dotted line as it were and face Scott Quigg, thus ramping up the intense debate that is stirring on social media regarding the fight and exactly what is hindering it actually happening.
Writing today in his column for the British Daily Mail, Hearn, speaks frankly about his “frustration” at dealing with Barry McGuigan’s CWM Cyclone outfit (who look after Frampton) and the difficulties he claims to have encountered in trying to make Carl Frampton (20-0, 14ko) vs Scott Quigg (30-0-2, 22ko) a reality.
With the Frampton camp yesterday releasing a statement asserting they will only enter into further negotiations if the fight is staged as a co-promotion, Hearn has hit today hit back with comments of his own. The official statement from the Frampton team included the following quote from the IBF super bantamweight champion.
“My team and I have been in negotiations with Matchroom Sport to co-promote this fight. It has been made very clear throughout the entire negotiation period that this huge domestic fight can only take place as a co-promotion. It is therefore frustrating that Matchroom have deviated from negotiations with this (£1.5 million) offer.” – Carl Frampton
Hearn has today countered with the following;
“If there’s more we can do to make this fight happen then I don’t know what it is. Now it is up to Frampton and his people to decide if they really want it. If they do, cash the cheque and come to the Manchester Arena on July 18”
He continued with the following;
“It was interesting to see their (CWM) statement shortly after. They say this fight only happens as a co-promotion. Why if we are the ones putting the money up? If it matters that much to them to have their name on the poster or Michael Buffer read their name out before the fight then I don’t have a problem with that either. The fact is, it’s not about us or them. Its about Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton.”
Hearn came under fire from some sections yesterday for the very public offer, with some accusing him of poor conduct for doing business in such a way. It seems clear that there are many sticking points in what are proving to be tense and complex negotiations, and that the only way to solve this is for all parties concerned to get back around the table and hammer out a deal that is agreeable to all. There are obviously far more sticky issues than simple PPV revenues/purse splits, but in an era when Mayweather v Pacquiao can be made, then surely one must believe than ANY fight can happen, especially one as financially lucrative to all concerned as this?
Hearn goes on to insist that regardless of what happens with the Frampton fight, Bury’s Quigg will box on the July 18th date, and that he has held provisional talks with both Nonito Donaire and Kiko Martinez. In fact, if the negotiations for Frampton are so sticky, a fight with Martinez will be a good benchmark of comparison for those, like me, who insist Quigg doesn’t have the tools or the quality to beat the Northern Irishman anyway.
Martinez was beaten twice by the Tiger Bay fighter, in 2013 by a 9th round TKO and last September in the sizzling points win that gave him the IBF belt he currently holds. A dominant display by Quigg against the Spaniard will go some way toward silencing some of his many doubters.
What happens next, we must wait and see but in the opinion of this writer, if this fight is not made, it will be a crying shame for not just the fighters, but most importantly the fans, who keep this fantastic sport alive with their support. Our fingers will remain crossed.
As always, thanks for reading. Twitter @undilutedpoison