IBF super-bantamweight champion Carl Frampton is one step closer to a summer bout with WBA counterpart Scott Quigg, now that negotiations have begun.
The Northern Irishman revealed his intentions to ensure the long-anticipated fight takes place, suggesting that he would travel to Quigg’s native Bury from his London training base, following the recent defence of his world title.
Quigg, 26, was ringside for Frampton’s inspiring fifth-round stoppage against Chris Avalos in front of a 9,000-strong crowd at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast a fortnight ago.
His promoters, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, confirmed to The Irish Post that talks are under way between both sides, but that with discussions currently at an early stage it could take several weeks before a decision is made.
Quigg’s camp has not ruled out London as a potential venue to host the fight, which will no doubt be welcome news to 28-year-old Frampton’s manager Barry McGuigan, who recently told The Irish Post that the capital would be the “sensible” option.
“London for us would be a very sensible choice. If we can do business with the other side, we’d like to take Carl there,” McGuigan said.
Quigg, who has recovered from a recent hand injury, is equally keen to line up the domestic contest against the Belfast boxer, which will see two world titles on the line.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: “Training is going well at the minute. The hand has healed well. I had to have three or four weeks without punching, but now I’m back in the gym and doing light punching. So far, the hand is holding up.
“It’s the fight I want, he wants, and the British public want. What gives me confidence is that if Floyd Mayweather Jr v Manny Pacquiao can be made, I’m sure me and Carl Frampton can get made. We’re in talks now and it’s going well. Hopefully, fingers crossed, it can be made because it’s the fight the public deserve.
“I’ll fight in Belfast, Manchester or London. It doesn’t matter. I’m 100 per cent confident I will get the job done. I know what I have to do. It’s another George Groves v Carl Froch. It captures the imagination of not just boxing fans, but the general public too. There couldn’t be a better time — we’re both undefeated and both world champions. It just sets it up for a great fight.”
Negotiations are likely to be dependent on who will have the broadcast rights to the fight; Frampton’s victory over Avalos was his first on ITV.
McGuigan believes that the channel will be keen to air coverage of the bout that is proposed to take place on English soil, but the conflict arises with Hearn keen instead for the fight to be covered on Sky as a pay-per-view event.
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