Hyde labels Frampton mandatory a coward

IRISH boxing manager Garry Hyde has hit out at Top Rank and Chris Avalos for turning down the chance to fight WBO and WBA super bantamweight champion of the World Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Indeed Hyde labeled the fighter, who is mandatory for Carl Frampton’s IBF super bantamweight World title, a coward.

Avalos was also mandated to fight ‘Rigo’ and the Cuban’s team having won worse bids to promote the fight hoped to stage a WBO World title fight between the pair in November.

However, like the majority of super bantamweights on the planet Avalos elected against a Rigondeaux showdown. The American most likely feels a Frampton fight could prove more lucrative and more winnable.

Hyde expressed his disappointment at Avalos’ decision and questioned the courage of the American and even Mexican WBC champ Leo Santa Cruz.

“We are very disappointed to hear that Top Rank contacted the WBO today to advise them that Chris Avalos was not willing to fight Rigondeaux.

“Avalos has been the only challenger to call out Rigondeaux and obviously now that the was made he has proven to be as cowardly as all the other 122lb fighters. Avalos and WBC world champion Leo Santa Cruz have been looking for some recognition for mentioning Rigondeaux name but they are fooling nobody.

“It’s dreadful that even mandatory challengers will not step up to the plate to fight the top guy. Rigondeaux is now without an opponent for the November 22nd date that his promoters Caribe Promotions had won the bid to promote so now Team Rigondeaux have a few snares to set in the hope of securing an opponent.”