Boxing: Carl Frampton bullish ahead of date with destiny

“I’m gonna win, that’s it”. Just a month away from a fight he’s been chasing for four years, Carl Frampton is unequivocal about how he expects things to end up. His meeting with Scott Quigg in Manchester on 27 February is that rarity; an all British encounter to unify versions of the world title.

When they step into the ring at the Manchester arena for the super bantamweight bout, Frampton’s IBF and Quigg’s WBA titles will be at stake. Adding further prestige, both men are unbeaten. Although they might not have the name recognition of some British world champions past, make no mistake, domestic boxing doesn’t get much bigger than this.

You wouldn’t know it though. Frampton sounds extremely relaxed about the impending prospect of the biggest night of his career. Alongside his gruelling training schedule, the Belfast native still makes the time to support the Nightingale Crisis Support Centre in his hometown, of which he is a patron. The charity, which is funded by money raised through Sport Relief, provides round the clock support to people in suicidal crisis.

“It’s something that’s been a big problem where I’m from...the people over there at the Nightingale are doing a fantastic job, they really are”.

It’s this down-to-earth nature and connection with his roots that have seen him inherit the mantle of his manager, Barry McGuigan, as a hero in Northern Ireland.

Given how long ‘The Jackal’ has had to get used to the idea of fighting Quigg, it’s little wonder he sounds at ease. The match-up is one that he and his team claim they have been trying to make happen for four years, with accusations that Quigg’s camp have deliberately avoided it. So long have their paths seemed destined to cross, it came as a relief to fans, eager to see the best against the best, when the fight was finally confirmed last year.

Yet, the articulate Northern Irishman believes it has only come about now because of the near miss he endured in El Paso, Texas last July. Making his US debut against the unheralded Alejandro Gonzalez Jnr, Frampton was twice sent to the canvas in the opening round, before rallying to secure a unanimous points win.

“I suppose it was a blessing in disguise. I genuinely don’t believe that these guys ever wanted this fight until my last performance and they’re getting some sort of false confidence from that. I’m glad it happened, I’m glad because that’s the only reason this fight is happening”.

Putting that night down to complacency, Frampton is keenly aware he can’t afford to repeat the same mistake against Quigg.

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During the customary pre-fight bluster, Frampton has stated that he anticipates more support on the night. This despite the fact that Quigg hails from Bury, just over 10 miles up the road from Manchester.

“I know for a fact that I’ll have more fans in the arena than Quigg”.

Whilst it remains to be seen whether he’ll be proven right, it isn’t hard to believe Frampton’s confident prediction. The all action fighter from Belfast commands a loyal following, whereas Quigg, an exciting puncher and world champion, has seemingly failed to capture the public’s imagination in the same way. What’s behind this?

“He’s a good fighter...but it’s also built around personality and being able to talk properly and to be funny and witty and sadly Scott isn’t that guy”.

It will certainly be interesting to see how Quigg reacts if he does come out as the ‘home’ fighter to a mostly hostile reception at the Manchester Arena.

Relations between the fighters in the build-up have been conducted respectfully for the most part, with the greater animosity directed between the training and promotional teams. The presence of Eddie Hearn as Quigg’s promoter in particular, has added a further layer of intrigue to the event. Until Frampton and his team decided to go it alone a few years ago, Hearn had directed the Northern Irishman’s career. Following the split, Hearn signed up Quigg.

“The only reason that he signed him was simply because I left”.

It’s clear that there is plenty of residual feeling between the two, with the perma-tanned Essex man revelling in the role of provocateur. Frampton however insists that this is no extra motivation for him.

“Eddie Hearn is just nothing to me. I don’t give him a second thought. I don’t particularly like him but I wouldn’t say to get one over on Eddie is gonna be any more motivation than I’ve already got”.

The successful partnership between Frampton and long-time trainer Shane Mcguigan has caught the attention of several other high profile names. Both David Haye and George Groves have recently switched trainers to join the McGuigan camp and had high praise for Frampton in doing so. It’s an environment that he enjoys being in.

“To be training alongside them and having these big characters in the gym, it’s good for me...we watch each other in sparring and training hitting the pads and we learn... it’s a wee bit of competition you know...we’re always trying to outdo each other in different things that we’re doing.”

Frampton is in no doubt that the pair have made the right choice in working under a trainer whose reputation continues to grow.

“It’s just gonna get bigger and better for Shane. I feel he’s the best coach in the UK and will be one of the best in the world in the next decade or so”.

Although not looking beyond 27 February, a host of opportunities potentially await Frampton in what are some of the strongest weight divisions in the sport.

The WBA have said that the winner of Frampton Quigg must fight the brilliant Cuban, Guillermo Rigondeaux, no later than July. Described by Frampton as a pound for pound top 5 fighter, it’s a daunting challenge, but one that he’s not shrinking from.

“If you wanna be the best in the super bantamweight division I think Rigondeaux is the man you have to beat. I’m happy to fight Rigondeaux. I believe that I’m the only super bantamweight in the world who has the style and the balls really to beat him. I genuinely believe that.”

A big super-bantamweight, Frampton’s long term future lies in the featherweight division.

“The time’s gonna come when I need to move up to featherweight, it’s gonna be sooner rather than later.”

Here too are exciting possibilities against the likes of Wales’ Lee Selby - “a mouthwatering prospect” - or Mexican Leo Santa Cruz - “very very interesting” - who defends his title on the same night.

But first the small matter of Scott Quigg.

“People are making this out to be a 50 50 fight but I feel that me on my best against him at his best, there’s only gonna be one winner”.

The Nightingale Crisis Support Centre

Raised on Belfast’s Tiger’s Bay estate and with personal experience of issues surrounding substance abuse and suicide, Frampton jumped at the opportunity to support the work of the Nightingale Centre.

“They approached me in the early part of my pro career and asked if I’d be an ambassador for them and I was delighted to accept”.

In Northern Ireland suicide rates are among the highest in Europe, with 303 recorded deaths in 2013. For people who are vulnerable, night-time is particularly difficult. However, the only out-of-hours support currently available in Northern Ireland to people in suicidal crisis is at Accident & Emergency departments, which for many is not the most appropriate safe place. This project runs a centre that is a place of safety open between 9pm and 8am. Staffed by a worker with support from trained volunteers, the centre assists people who are going through an immediate crisis. It offers ongoing support to help them regain hope, emotional resilience and a sense of purpose.

They’re open all the time, you can come in, you can call, you can stay, you can sleep over, you can talk to a trained counselor...it’s amazing work”.

Carl Frampton is encouraging everyone to get behind Sport Relief by signing up to run, walk, swim or cycle themselves proud at the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Games on 18th-20th March. To find out more visit www.sportrelief.com

Carl will be attending the flagship Belfast Games over the weekend of the 18-20 March. Sign up here http://www.sportrelief.com/events/flagship-events#/city/belfast

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