Boxer Frampton set for legal battle with McGuigan firm

Belfast boxer Carl Frampton is set for a legal battle at the High Court in London over an alleged breach of contract with his former promoter.

Cyclone Promotions, run by former world champion fighter Barry McGuigan’s son Blain, is suing Frampton (30) over his decision in August to end his relationship with the company, which dated from 2009.

Frampton, a former world champion from north Belfast, also ended his long association with trainer Shane McGuigan at that time. Previously Frampton and the McGuigans spoke of having a family-type relationship.

Frampton’s solicitor John Finucane, of Finucane Toner in Belfast, issued a statement confirming Cyclone Promotions and Blain McGuigan had lodged proceedings in the high court in London on November 23rd.

“Mr Frampton is deeply disappointed that Cyclone Promotions have decided to initiate legal action against him,” it said. “However, he will not only defend this action rigorously, but can confirm he will be counter-claiming on a number of grounds.

“Mr Frampton is confident that this process will vindicate his position and reputation, and looks forward to engaging fully in this process to present all aspects of this claim before the court ... Therefore it would be inappropriate to issue any further comment at this time.”

Failed mediation

In a statement Cyclone said it had spent a number of weeks attempting to mediate a settlement with Frampton and his representatives.

“This mediation was ended by Carl Frampton’s solicitors when a settlement could not be reached,” the company said. “The company therefore lodged a claim at the high court against Carl Frampton relating to his breach of the promotional contract entered into with Cyclone Promotions.

“Cyclone Promotions is merely seeking a fair and equitable resolution to this contract dispute.”

It is thought that the case, which could involve millions of pounds worth of counter-claims, will be heard next year.

Frampton started boxing aged seven and he won his first world title, the IBF super-bantamweight, in 2014 when he beat Kiko Martínez of Spain in an outdoor fight on the Titanic Slipways in Belfast.

He moved up to featherweight division to fight Léo Santa Cruz in Brooklyn for the WBA title last year and became the first Northern Irish boxer to win world championships in two different weight divisions.

He lost his title to Santa Cruz during a fight in Las Vegas in January but made a successful return to the ring against Horacio García in Belfast earlier this month, his first fight under new promoter, Frank Warren.