By Keith Idec
Scott Quigg is more than willing to end Carl Frampton’s search for an opponent.
Quigg told the Manchester Evening News for a story published Wednesday night that he’ll gladly fight Frampton again August 18. That’s the night Frampton is scheduled to fight at Windsor Park, a soccer stadium in his hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Frampton had hoped to face newly crowned IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington (27-0, 6 KOs) on August 18. England’s Warrington said following his split-decision victory over Wales’ Lee Selby (26-2, 9 KOs) on Saturday night, however, that he won’t be ready to return to the ring that soon.
“I know Frampton is without an opponent for August 18, and I’d be more than ready to fight him,” Quigg said. “None of the world champions are available, apart from Gary Russell Jr., and I don’t think Frampton would go near him. Other than that, I don’t see anybody else that could make it a big enough fight to generate excitement.
“He would probably still fill Windsor Park no matter who he fights, but I don’t think it would be the same buzz with any other fighter than it could be if it was me.”
Apart from facing England’s Warrington in an all-UK showdown, Frampton hopes to land a third fight against Leo Santa Cruz. Frampton lost a majority decision to Santa Cruz in their featherweight championship rematch nearly 16 months ago in Las Vegas.
Santa Cruz (34-1-1, 19 KOs) is scheduled to take part in a rematch against Abner Mares (31-2-1, 15 KOs) on June 9 at Staples Center in Los Angeles (Showtime).
England’s Quigg suffered the first of his two professional defeats to Frampton two years ago. Frampton beat Quigg by split decision in their 12-round, 122-pound title unification fight in February 2016 in Manchester, England.
Quigg (34-2-2, 25 KOs) lost his most recent fight as well. Mexico’s Oscar Valdez (24-0, 19 KOs) beat him by unanimous decision in their 12-round fight for Valdez’s WBO featherweight title March 10 at StubHub Center in Carson, California.
The Valdez-Quigg fight was entertaining, but Quigg contends he wasn’t at his best because he suffered a stress fracture in his foot during training camp that kept him from making weight and competing at his best. While it took Quigg some time to recover from that injury, he is sure he’d be able to prepare properly to fight Frampton on August 18.
“I piled a lot of weight on and it was hard to get back into the swing of things,” Quigg said. “Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been hitting the gym twice a day and we’re getting a bit of momentum now.
“I’m starting to feel normal again and it’s been good to get back in shape and get sharper before I head out to the USA for a proper camp.”
As much as Quigg wants to fight Frampton again, he doesn’t think Frampton and promoter Frank Warren would want that fight next. Even if they do, there’s the complicated matter of Warren making a deal with rival promoter Eddie Hearn, who represents Quigg.
“I don’t see them wanting to fight me because they’ll say I don’t deserve it,” Quigg said. “But they know that if they pick me they’re playing with danger.”
If Frampton won’t consider a rematch, Quigg hopes his next fight isn’t just one that’ll keep him busy.
“I’ll speak to my promoter, Eddie Hearn,” Quigg said, “and if it isn’t the Frampton fight in August then I’ll probably look to return in September. I’ve had 38 fights now, so I don’t just want to go in a 10-rounder against anybody. I want a big fight, as that’s what keeps me motivated. I still believe I can get to the top again.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
