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Scott Quigg calls for Windsor Park Carl Frampton rematch


Scott Quigg has joined Kid Galahad and thrown his name into the ring as a potential Windsor Park opponent for Carl Frampton.

‘The Jackal’ is currently without an opponent for the August 18th Belfast stadium date and Bury’s Quigg [34(25)-2(0)-2] is keen for a rematch.

However, the English fighter does not believe that Frampton [25(14)-1(0)] will want the fight.

The pair boxed in a super bantamweight unification back in February 2016, with Frampton winning an insipid points decision at the Manchester Arena, live on Sky Sports Box Office, breaking Quigg’s jaw in the process.

Both moved up to featherweight after this, with Frampton trading wins with WBA champ Leo Santa Cruz while Quigg, most recently, losing to WBO champ Oscar Valdez having missed the 126lbs weight limit by a whopping 2.8lbs.

Quigg broke Valdez’s jaw in this Mach bout, paving the way for Frampton’s clash with Filipino legend Nonito Donaire in April to be upgraded to a WBO interim title fight.

Having decisively defeated Donaire, Frampton is now eager for a big-name opponent for his dream Windsor Park date but has seen all four featherweight champions ruled out with Valdez and WBC titlist Gary Russell Jr injured and with schedules preventing IBF champ Josh Warrington and Leo Santa Cruz from making the trip.

Quigg believes he can fill a gap and told the Manchester Evening News that “I know Frampton is without an opponent for August 18, and I’d be more than ready to fight him.”

“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.”

However, Quigg, who has been calling for a rematch ever since their first meeting, does not believe he will get the fight and notes how “I don’t see them wanting to fight me because they’ll say I don’t deserve it, but they know that if they pick me they’re playing with danger.”

Due to the tame nature of the last bout – if not the build-up – Frampton has always been dismissive of a Quigg rematch unless the Matchroom fighter ‘brought something to the table.’ This would not be the case at present.

However, with a dearth of other options, Quigg could become a possibility alongside Kid Galahad – although neither suggestion has been well received by Irish fight fans.

Frampton’s promoter Frank Warren has noted that an opponent will be confirmed this week and announced next week.

Read Sheldon Keay’s full interview with Scott Quigg here.

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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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