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McGuigans have “no interest” in Selby-Frampton showdown according to Welshman’s manager

A Windsor Park stadium fight between Carl Frampton and Lee Selby looks less likely by the day.

‘The Jackal’ will fight at home for the first time in over two years this Summer, but an opponent is still to be confirmed.

A rubber match with WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz looks highly unlikely, and the preferred back-up of IBF champ Lee Selby is seemingly following this path.

Despite encouraging talk last week from the Barry boxer, his manager Jamie Sanigar has come out to accuse Frampton’s team at Cyclone Promotions of running scared.

While Selby [24(9)-1(0)] has been ordered to face mandatory challenger Jonathan Victor Barros, Sanigar believes this fight can be circumnavigated to make a clash with the Belfast boxer..

The Al Haymon-backed TGB Promotions won the purse bid for the Selby-Barros fight yesterday, with many believing it will act as chief support to the Leo Santa Cruz v Abner Mares rematch in Los Angeles later this year. However, the health concerns surrounding Barros would suggest that this may not be a foregone conclusion.

Barros failed a Hepatitis C test with the Nevada State Athletic Commision earlier in the year, scrapping his initial fight date with Selby on the Frampton-Santa Cruz rematch card. Confusion would then reign with Barros passing similar independent tests in the same week.

Frampton [23(14)-1(0] too feels that the mandatory contest can be avoided to enable a Selby showdown, however Sanigar claims that Cyclone Promotions have not shown the same desire to make the fight.

“In the short term, the Lee Selby fight is a fight that can be made but they will use the situation with the IBF as an excuse,” Sanigar told ESPN. “With a fight of this magnitude, things can be done to get it made.”

“We’ve made approaches and it’s their side that doesn’t want it.”

“There’s been no progression. I’ve spoken to the McGuigans and they don’t appear to have any interest in the Lee Selby fight.”

“It’s very surprising due to the demand from the British fans and we would be willing to do it in Belfast if it makes financial sense for both the boxers.”

“They don’t fancy Carl Frampton against Lee Selby. Lee Selby is a far superior boxer stylistically to Santa Cruz and he’s a nightmare for Carl Frampton – and they know that.”

“They can’t afford for Carl to lose twice”

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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