Hearn: I believe Frampton will fight Avalos next and Quigg in the summer
CARL Frampton will make the first defence of his IBF super bantamweight World title against mandatory challenger Chris Avalos, believes Eddie Hearn.
The Matchroom boss was keen to make Frampton versus Scott Quigg and give the eagerly anticipated clash the Froch Groves treatment, but the promoter, who brings big time boxing back to Dublin with a Matthew Macklin topped bill on November 15, claims ‘The Jackal’ will return against the American in February.
There has been no official word from Cyclone Promotions as to what is next, but Hearn claims Frampton, who looks set to return to training in the coming weeks after injuring his hand when dethroning Kiko Martinez, is keen to get his mandatory out of the way.
Hearn, who has teamed up with Top Rank for all Frampton Avalos dealings, also stated he would love to put the Belfast ticket sellers first defence on Sky Sports.
“I spoke to Jake and Blaine McGuigan last week and I think they will fight Avalos next. I am pretty sure on that. They want to get that fight out of the way,” said Hearn.
“Avalos wants that fight and he has waited and with the Frampton hand injury it will most likely be February. Obviously I am involved with Avalos and those negotiations. I am trying to get the best deal for him. He would be best served to look at the offer and if he doesn’t like it let it go to purse bids. I am sure we (Matchroom) would bid. I would like to have Carl on Sky Sports. I don’t know his TV situation with Boxnation, but maybe that happens by me winning purse bids or purchasing the rights.”
There is a school of taught that Hearn linked up with Avalos in a bid to force Cyclone to accept a clash with Quigg. The 24 year old American was willing to take step aside money to facilitate the grudge match. The Matchroom boss was keen to put the clash on in Manchester in December and even had eyes on a Summer rematch in Belfast.
By getting the mandatory clash out of the way Cyclone Promotions become free to defend against whoever they deem most fit. But despite losing a key bargaining tool Hearn is confident Quigg and Frampton will meet and believes the fight will happen as early as next summer.
“I am not looking to be difficult with the Avalos situation. My main goal is to make Quigg versus Frampton and I am sure that happens in the Summer because Carl is a smart guy he knows that fight has to happen.
“I think that fight just happens regardless. If you really want it it gets made. I am not on Barry McGuigan’s Christmas card list but It’s not about me and Barry. It is about Quigg and Frampton, let them fight and let them earn the money.
