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Carl Frampton destroys Lee Selby in online exchange


It’s not quite Carl Frampton [23(14)-1(0)] and Scott Quigg, but ‘The Jackal’ and IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby [25(9)-1(0)] have a simmering rivalry.

The master plan was for the pair to unify world titles during the Summer at Windsor Park, but a disastrous weekend in Las Vegas at the start of the year put paid to this.

Frampton lost his WBA belt in a rematch with Leo Santa Cruz, while Selby saw his mandatory defence against Jonathan Victor Barros cancelled the day before.

A Windsor showdown remained on the table and talks between the Sanigars, Selby’s backers, and the McGuigans, Frampton’s former backers, continued. The IBF seemed to be insistent on Selby facing Barros during the Summer, the Welshman’s team seemed to suggest that there were ways around this.

However, the McGuigans backed out of talks and Frampton would label Team Selby ‘time wasters.’

Then, of course, Frampton’s Belfast homecoming against Andres Gutierrez fell through in freak circumstances and he split from the McGuigans.

Now aligned to Frank Warren and Mack The Knife Global, Frampton finally returns next month at the Odyssey. After so long out and with adjustments to be made, the Ulster 30 year old has opted for a somewhat lower level opponent and will face former sparring partner Horacio Garcia [33(24)-3(0)-1].

Tonight Selby looked to take a swipe at Frampton’s choice of opponent, but the Barry boxer received a sharp put-down in response.

The Welsh Mayweather sent the following tweet to Frampton.

Frampton hit back minutes later

Selby won the IBF title back in 2015, dethroning Evgeny Gradovich. He defended the belt against the faded Fernando Montiel in Arizona before beating Eric Hunter on the Anthony Joshua v Charles Martin undercard. Following the Barros cancellation he faced Andoni Gago in a keep-busy on the David Haye v Tony Bellew card, and then eventually faced the Argentinian in July on the Chris Eubank v Arthur Abraham undercard.

The 30 year old, who like Frampton is also advised by Al Haymon, currently does not have a fight scheduled. 

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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