‘We were like family, now I despise them’
Carl Frampton opens up on the collapse of his relationship with Mcguigans
CARL Frampton has opened up about the breakdown of his relationship with former promoter Barry Mcguigan after the highly-publicised court battle between the pair.
Frampton was suing his ex-manager and Cyclone Promotions for alleged withheld earnings, but the case was settled back in November with the boxer saying that he was “extremely happy” with the outcome and “was glad this chapter of (his) life is now behind” him.
He was claiming up to £6m against Cyclone Promotions UK Ltd, of which Mr Mcguigan was a director, over purse fees, broadcasting rights, ticket sales and merchandising.
In a counter-suit, Mr Mcguigan claimed a protege he had treated like a son was in breach of contract by quitting his Cyclone organisation in August 2017.
Both men denied any wrongdoing throughout the case.
Now Frampton has shed some light on the “sad” collapse of the relationship, though he admitted his former associates were “very good boxing people”.
It was with Cyclone Promotions that Frampton won world titles in two weight divisions, working alongside Barry Mcguigan and his boxing trainer son Shane for a total of eight years.
During that time they became so close that Frampton admits they were “pretty much” like family.
But now, over three years on from their split, he says his feelings towards them have turned completely sour.
“There’s no relationship,” he said on the Anything Goes podcast with James English.
“It was settled so no one can say they won or anything, but what I can say is that I’m very happy with the settlement.
“I despise them, all of them. Hate them. It’s just the way it is.
“It is sad, but it does happen in boxing. I like to think of myself as a nice guy... I loved these guys. I had Shane and Jake (another of Barry’s sons) Mcguigan as groomsmen at my wedding, I was a groomsman at Shane’s wedding; pretty much (like brothers). But I have a deep hatred for them now, all of them... I genuinely mean that... hate them.”
Since joining up with his new trainer Jamie Moore Frampton has won five of his six fights, beaten only in an IBF World Featherweight title bout against Josh Warrington.
Now having moved up to super featherweight, The Jackal is gearing up for his chance to become Ireland’s first three-weight world champion when he faces Jamel Herring next month.
But regardless of any success, he has frequently claimed that he has never enjoyed his boxing more than under Moore’s tutelage.
“I’m genuinely delighted I made that move,” he added.
“I never enjoyed boxing when I was with the Mcguigans. There are interviews of me saying: ‘I can’t wait until I’m 30 because I’m going to retire. I hate this game’. Barry’s a very knowledgeable boxing person. He knows boxing inside out. Shane is a very good trainer as well. I’ll always be honest and say they’re very good boxing people, but I just don’t like them.”
Frampton revealed he had no interest in becoming a trainer or manager once his own fighting days were over due to the “politics” of the sport, but was excited to undertake more punditry work to remain involved in boxing.