Carl Frampton Will Be Better After First Defeat, Says McGuigan

By Terence Dooley

Barry McGuigan has backed Carl Frampton (23-1, 14 KOs) to bounce back as strong as ever from his first professional defeat. Last Saturday he was scheduled to meet Mexico’s Andres Gutierrez (35-1-1, 25 early) at Belfast’s SSE Arena live on Channel 5, but the contest was called off with less than 24 hours to go - after Gutierrez slipped in the shower and suffered numerous injuries.

McGuigan saw his protégé drop a majority decision to Leo Santa Cruz in January, the exact reverse result of their previous fight in July of last year, and lose the WBA Super World featherweight title in the process, but he believes that the 30-year-old can recover from the loss and go on his best run of form yet.

Frampton’s mentor, manager and the show’s promoter, “The Clones Cyclone” pointed to an “off” night when accounting for the loss to Cruz, something that he believes will not happen again anytime soon.

“I really believe that he will be better for this loss to Santa Cruz,” said McFGuigan when speaking to David Kelly of the Belfast Telegraph. “He had an off night in Vegas and there's no point making excuses about it.”

 He added: “He's got possible fights with World champions Lee Selby, Leo Santa Cruz or Gary Russell or even a move to Super-featherweight is possible."

A fight against IBF holder Selby would seem a perfect fit for Frampton, who is rated at number three by the organisation and could face demotion from the top spot with the WBC if they decide to penalise his slip up on the scales.

However, talk of the Northern Ireland versus Wales match-up has rumbled on ever since Frampton hit featherweight and, according to McGuigan, they still have work to do on making it a reality despite both camps being keen on the fight.

“We could have that fight in Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, London, Birmingham—they all have big arenas.  Selby's people want it but it's another matter doing a deal,” stated McGuigan.

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