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Carl Frampton confirms return to the ring before McGuigan court case


Carl Frampton [26(15)-2(0)] has confirmed that he will proceed with his original fight plan having seen his upcoming court battle with Barry McGuigan delayed.

Having dedcided to fight on following his loss to IBF featherweight champ Josh Warrington, Frampton had stated numerous times that he would return to heavy training with coach Jamie Moore following the conclusion of his court case with his former manager.

The case, due to take place at the Belfast High Court, centers on alleged earnings in excess of £4million from which Frampton claims money due to him was witheld – with McGuigan meanwhile alleging breach of contract.

These proceedings were due to take place in May but the case was adjourned last week and the two-week hearing will now take place in September at the very earliest.

With Frampton having outlined his insistence on getting the case out of the way, there were fears that the adjournment could lead to an even longer break from the ring for the popular Tiger’s Bay boxer.

In what could be considered ‘good news’ for fight fans, Frampton has come out and clarified that he will soon return to training and proceed with his original schedule of fighting in late July or early August.

It is certainly a far from ideal situation as the 32-year-old will now have to undergo training camp with the cloud of an impending legal battle hanging over him but Frampton is taking a considered view of things.

Writing in his weekly column for the Sunday Life, Frampton explained how “my court case with former manager Barry McGuigan and promotional outfit Cyclone Promotions has been put back to September but that won’t stop me from fighting in the summer.”

“I think some of my fans were worried that it would push my return to the ring back to maybe the end of the year but as far as I’m concerned here’s no stopping me.”

“Everything happens for a reason and I’ll just focus on preparing for the opportunity that my team come up with for the summer.”

Frampton left the McGuigan family in 2017, swapping trainer Shane for Moore, manager Barry for Johnney Roye, and promoter Blain for Frank Warren.

‘The Jackal’ has since brought onboard Bob Arum’s Top Rank in a co-promotional capacity and his future fights look set to play out in America.

Frampton looks to be on a collision course with new stablemate and WBO champion Oscar Valdez – who fights again on June 8th. It would seem sure that the Irishman will not provide opposition on this date and, with schedules alligning, it could be a warm-up fight for Frampton next before a title clash with Valdez later in the year.

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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