Manager of the Month Award for McGuigan

He was questioned by the opposite corner in the build up to the massive Frampton versus Quigg fight, but young coach Shane McGuigan came out on top of the battle of the trainers as his charge left the ring with two world titles draped over each shoulder.

Not that the son of former featherweight World champ Barry McGuigan needs further recognition for the win, but as a result of his role in the massive victory, a first successful unification in Irish boxing history, McGuigan has been named the Philips Ireland manager of the month for February.

The former Ulster Champion has played a crucial part in Frampton’s rise to World glory and ‘The Jackal’, who has always preached about his coaches abilities, claims the coach he shares with David Haye, George Groves, Conrad Cummings and more laid down the perfect plan to over come Scott Quigg on February 27.

McGuigan sold the undefeated Belfast fighter a socialist don’t be greedy pre and during the fight. He knew Quigg would start slow and hope to finish strong and warned Frampton against doing too much in the early stanzas. ‘If he is going to let you have the rounds take them with as little effort’ was the mantra.

‘Shane told me not to be greedy,” Frampton said after the fight. “Land three or four and get on the move again. If he was going to nothing then I just needed to do what was needed to win the rounds. It was a plan that worked.”

The victory would prove vindication enough for McGuigan, but considering the manner in which his credentials were questioned pre fight the Ireland Manager of the Month award will certainly leave a sweet taste in his mouth.