The heavily anticipated showdown between undefeated super bantamweight champions came to fruition yesterday. WBA champion Scott Quigg (30-0-2, 23 KOs), from Bury, Lancashire, England, gets it on with Carl “The Jackal” Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs), from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who holds the IBF strap. The fight will take place on February 27th at the Manchester Arena.
The mega event was finally announced on Sky Sports after tireless negotiations between Quigg’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Frampton’s Barry McGuigan.
This comes after years of mutual desire to fight but due to the sport’s politics, it never quite could get done. The two world champions will finally put their belts on the line in what could be an early candidate for fight of the year where a display of Quigg’s heavy fists goes up against Frampton’s boxing prowess.
Quigg first won the interim WBA championship in 2012 and a year later fought against Argentina’s Diego Oscar Silva to be recognized as World Champion. He has gone on to defend the title four times with his most recent defense coming via TKO2 of former champion Kiko Martinez.
Frampton won his championship last year against none other than Kiko Martinez in a one-sided unanimous decision in his hometown of Belfast. The Irishman followed up his title win with two other defenses where his latest was his US debut against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. in El Paso, Texas, where he earned a unanimous decision victory.
Scott Quigg was ecstatic at the announcement of the fight.
“I’ve finally got the fight I’ve wanted for so long,” he said. “February 27 will be the best night of my life. I’ve dedicated my life to this sport and I have never been more confident going into a fight, I know I will beat him in every department. This is a great fight for the sport and I’m delighted to bring it to Manchester and unify the division.”
Carl Frampton also commented on the biggest fight of his career.
“I’m delighted that we have finally got this fight signed,” said Frampton. “This is the fight everyone has wanted for years, none more so than myself. I’m the legitimate champion and I’m going to his backyard to defend my title because that’s what champions do. On February 27 the fans will find out who the real champion is, I’m going to win this fight in style.”
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
