McGuigan Calls Carl Frampton The Best Ever From Ireland

By Terence Dooley

Barry McGuigan believes that IBF Super bantamweight titlist Carl Frampton (22-0, 14 KOs) is on the fast track to becoming the greatest fighter Ireland has ever produced following his decision win over WBA counterpart Scott Quigg at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.  Frampton boxed his way through the quiet early rounds then traded late to take a deserved split decision win.

McGuigan has guided Framptom throughout his career, the former featherweight world Champion believes that the best is yet to come.  “This kid is the best Irish fighter we've ever had,” he enthused when speaking to David Kelly of the Belfast Telegraph.

“That's a bold statement and I'll get told off for that but he has time to prove that and we have to give him the fights to prove it.”

He added: “The Scott Quigg re-match is not an attractive fight for us, we have to look at the money fights and a fight with Leo Santa Cruz is a breath taking fight and the difference between Scott and Santa Cruz is that Scott was unsure and he didn't want to throw, he was just apprehensive because he was being hit so hard he didn't want to let go.  Santa Cruz isn't as hurtful a puncher as Quigg but he's a better attacking fighter, he throws a relentless amount of punches.”

Quigg suffered a broken jaw early in the contest, the Bury-based boxer has had an operation and is now on the road to recovery following his first pro defeat.

Frampton, though, has stated more than once that a rematch is not on the cards for the time being and is likely to pursue a fight either in Ireland or America in order to build on the weekend’s unification win.

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