Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Carl best paid boxer of his type with Mcguigans’
Blain tells court how his family handled fighter
CARL Frampton became one of the all-time highest-paid boxers in his division during his association with the Mcguigan family, the High Court heard yesterday.
Musi ci an-turn ed-promot er Bl ain Mcguigan also claimed the fighter’s current managerial advisors have created a fear of intimidation within the sport.
Giving evidence on day 15 of the multimillion pound legal battle between his father Barry Mcguigan and Mr Frampton, he denied any money was ever concealed.
The former two-weight world champ is suing his ex-manager and Cyclone Promotions for alleged withheld earnings.
In a counter-suit, Barry Mcguigan is claiming against his one-time protege for breach of contract when he ended their partnership in 2017.
B oth men d eny the allegations against them.
Mr Mcguigan’s son Blain defended the family’s handling of the 33-year-old Belfast boxer during their nine-year relationship.
Their lawyer Liam Mccollum asked him to compare financial deals they secured for Mr Frampton’s big contests to what other promoters could have offered.
Blain said: “They were far greater, Carl was probably one of the best-earning super bantamweights of all time.
“Then, we go up to featherweight and he’s done exceptionally well there as well. He’s earned a huge amount of money from his boxing career and we’re proud of him.”
Mr Mcguigan, 37, told how he worked in the music industry before becoming more involved in the Cyclone business after his father suffered a stroke in 2013.
Claims by the fighter he was promised a 30% share of profits from Cyclone shows
were disputed. respective
INCOME
He’s earned a huge amount of money from his boxing career BLAIN MCGUIGAN COURT YESTERDAY
Mr Mcguigan also denied allegations the company concealed payments or kept sponsorship income hidden from Mr Frampton.
The fighter now has managerial ties to MTK Global and earlier in the case reference was made to its alleged connections with Daniel Kinahan, who was named in a Dublin court as a suspected senior crime figure. Asked for his assessment on MTK’S status within the boxing i ndustr y, Blain Mcguigan said: “They [ have] pretty dubious links, [there’s] certainly a fear of intimidation within the sport.” Previously, the trial heard expenses claimed for big shows included bills for up to 41 rooms in a Manchester hotel. Total travel and subsistence expenses of £75,000 were listed for Mr Frampton’s world title bout with Scott Quigg in 2016. Those figures were said to include a bill for just over £20,000 from a hotel and £15,000 for an after-fight party.
Blain Mcguigan said some rooms were booked for the team and others for Cyclone corporate and VIP packages. During his father’s evidence, the court heard celebrities were charged thousands of pounds for tickets to Mr Frampton’s world title bouts.
Go l fe r R o r y MCI l ro y p a i d £1,280 into a Cyclone Promotions account for seats for the Leo Santa Cruz fight in 2016. Blain Mcguigan said: “That’s really standard, a big-time celebrity would pay for additional tickets.” The trial continues.