By Allan Fox: In a huge addition to his growing stable, adviser Al Haymon has reportedly signed unbeaten IBF super bantamweight champion Carl Frampton (20-0, 14 KOs) to a contract. Frampton, 28, is promoted by Cyclone Promotions, and his manager is Barry McGuigan.
It is unclear how the three will work together to help steer Frampton towards bigger fights in the future. Frampton needs to take advantage of him being in his prime years right now, and thus far he’s not done that. A unification fight against WBA champion Scott Quigg failed to happen, and that should have been a doable fight.
“I am very happy to have signed with Al Haymon,” Frampton said to newsletter.co.uk. “Al Haymon has a formidable reputation in boxing and has been the catalyst to securing the biggest fights in recent years.”
Having Frampton in his stable, Hayman is strengthening his position in the 122 pound division. Frampton is young enough to out-last WBA/WBO 122lb champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, who is widely considered to be the best fighter in the super bantamweight division.
Rigondeaux is getting up there in age at 34, and he’ll likely be showing signs of deterioration in the next four years. Frampton is poised to take over the division once Rigondeaux ages out. Haymon has the guy that he can arrange some good fights with for his Premier Boxing Champions stable.
“This is an exciting stage of my career after winning my world title, and my team and I know that this relationship with Al Haymon will help take my career to the next level. I am looking forward to it,” Frampton said.
One fight that jumps out as a possibility now that Frampton has signed with Haymon is a bout between Frampton and WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz. That fight could be made at 122 or 126. Santa Cruz us reportedly moving up to featherweight, but it’s still an exciting fight that could be fought in either division or even at a catch-weight. Both guys are capable of fighting in the featherweight division. Frampton rehydrates up in weight for his fights at 122. That means he can fight at featherweight if the money is right.
Frampton recently captured the IBF super bantamweight title with a 12 round decision win over Kiko Martinez in September of 2014. Since then, Framtpon has defended his IBF title once in beating Chris Avalos by a 5th round knockout last February. Frampton will soon be making his second defense of his title against a still to be determined opponent.
Comments are closed.