Hyde: If I managed Frampton I wouldn’t put him in with Rigo

CORK man Gary Hyde claims he knows why Carl Frampton’s team won’t take fight Gullerimo Rigondeuax fight and suggests it is nothing to do with ticket sales.

Hyde is a massive Jackal fan, indeed he tried to sign the ‘promoters dream’ back in 2009, and stresses he is a level above WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz and WBA regular champ Scott Quigg.

However, he is confident two time Olympic champion and current WBO and WBA World champ Rigondeaux, who he manages, would have too much for any super bantamweight on the planet including Frampton.

Hyde claims that is why a Frampton Rigondeaux fight won’t be made anytime soon. Frampton has always expressed respect for the Cuban and whilst he admits it could be his toughest test in more recent times he has expressed confidence when discussing a fight with the 34 year old. His team sing of a similar hymn sheet, but point out fact ‘Rigo’ has no TV backing and a style that does cross over to the mainstream means the fight doesn’t make financial sense.

Hyde refutes those suggestions, but admits he if he was in Cyclone Promotions he wouldn’t put Frampton in with Rigondeaux.

“Carl would take the fight but his team won’t. Rigo is a one off and I can understand why they are not keen to make the fight,” he told the Belfast Newsletter.

“If I was in their shoes I would do the same – but I was a wee bit annoyed when they said they did not want the fight because he does not sell tickets. How many tickets will Avalos sell? How many tickets did Kiko Martinez sell? If they don’t want the fight, that is fine. But don’t knock Rigondeaux.”

Hyde has seen Chris Avalos, Frampton’s opponent for the first defence of his IBF title on February 28, in action Stateside and predicts ITV’s latest Saturday night star will stop the American within six rounds.

“We are both Irish, so I will be cheering him on, but not when he fights Rigondeaux.

“I have watched Avalos sparring in the Wildcard Gym in America many times and he is a tough guy, who will fight anyone.

“But Carl will be too good for him and I can see him winning the fight in six rounds.

“In my mind Rigondeaux is the main man in the super-bantamweight division, Carl is second and I also think Carl is streets ahead of Scott Quigg and Leo Santa Cruz,” Hyde continued before further praising Frampton.

“He is a promoter and a managers dream. He can do everything. Carl is intelligent, he talks well, he lives the right life, he can fight and he is just a good guy.I tried to sign him in 2009 but he opted for Barry McGuigan and they have done a good job with him.”