Frampton addresses call for Rigondeaux fight
Carl Frampton wowed U.S. audiences last night with an exciting win over Leo Santa Cruz to take the WBA featherweight title in a Fight of the Year contender in Brooklyn, New York.
In the aftermath of the bout at the Barclays Centre much talk was focused on who would be up next for ‘The Jackal,’ and Frampton suggest the likes of Gary Russell Jr, Lee Selby or a Santa Cruz rematch.
One suggestion however which was shot down by the new 126lb champion was super bantamweight top dog Guillermo Rigondeaux. A Clash of the Jackals was suggested at the post-fight press conference, and by Rigondeaux himself on Twitter.
Congratulations to @CarlFrampton . I hope now we can settle our difference. I am available to travel to your hometown and do it there.
— Guillermo Rigondeaux (@RigoElChacal305) July 31, 2016
I would love to fight in Belfast my self.
— Guillermo Rigondeaux (@RigoElChacal305) July 31, 2016
If only! pic.twitter.com/662Onx2gjw
— Guillermo Rigondeaux (@RigoElChacal305) July 31, 2016
For such a fight to happen the Cuban maestro, a small 122lb fighter, would need to make the jump up to featherweight as Frampton has stated that he will never fight at super bantam again due to being drained at the weight.
Nevertheless, bigger roadblocks to a potential fight, according to Frampton, are both the lack of excitement and the lack of financial appeal, and the 29 year old explained that “I’m happy to fight anyone, and I genuinely am, I would fight anyone.”
“But I want to be involved in exciting fights.”
“I was in a bit of a stinker with Scott Quigg and I don’t want to be involved in another fight with Rigo that would be another stinker.”
“People would start to think ‘this guy is boring’ and would start to not like me.”
“I want to be involved in big fights, against whoever my team put in front of me.”
Outlining his motives behind chasing big money bouts, Frampton stated that “this is an important thing, and I don’t think boxers talk about it enough, I’ve a young family.
“I’ve two young kids and a wife at home and I need to be financially rewarded, because this is a short career.”
“I’m 29, I’ve a few years left, and I want to live a comfortable life after boxing.”
“Rigo doesn’t bring a pound to the table, that’s just the way it is.”
“He’s an unbelievable fighter, but I’m just being honest, he doesn’t bring any money to the fight.”
