Former world boxing champion Carl Frampton’s legal battle with ex-manager Barry McGuigan centres on alleged earnings in excess of £4 million (€4.6 million), the High Court heard today.
The estimated scale of gross income at the heart of the dispute between the boxing stars was disclosed as their courtroom showdown was put back to the autumn. A judge agreed to adjourn a two-week hearing scheduled for next month to ensure both sides can fully prepare.
Mr Justice Colton acknowledged the delay represents a blow to 32-year-old Mr Frampton’s attempts to move on with his career. But he stressed: “I’m anxious to ensure when this trial does come to fruition there is a fair trial.”
Mr Frampton is suing Barry McGuigan, his wife Sandra McGuigan and Cyclone Promotions (UK) Ltd. The Belfast fighter claims purse money and other earnings due to him from his bouts were withheld. His writs form the basis of a counter-suit to separate proceedings brought against him in London by the McGuigan family-run Cyclone Promotions.
Nicknamed The Jackal, the former two-weight world champion split with Cyclone in 2017. He is facing an action from his former promoters for alleged breach of contract.
Mr Frampton is counter-suing on a number of grounds, including an alleged appropriation of fight earnings and a breach of the terms of an International Promotional Agreement (IPA).
His lawsuit refers to contracts for fights in Northern Ireland, England and the United States. It involves claims against the now dissolved Cyclone Promotions UK Ltd – of which Mr and Mrs McGuigan were directors – over purse fees, broadcasting rights, ticket sales and merchandising from Mr Frampton’s second world title bout against Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas in January 2017.
Lawyers for the McGuigans have insisted all of the allegations are categorically denied. They have accused the boxer of lying about profit arrangements as part of a bid to blacken their client’s names in public.
In court on Tuesday, counsel for Mr Frampton revealed details from an accountant’s report into alleged earnings central to the case. Gavin Millar QC said the gross income from eight of his client’s fights at issue was estimated to be just over £4.05 million (€4.6 million). The disclosure came as the barrister resisted attempts to have the trial adjourned.
He argued that Mr Frampton has put his career on hold to have the legal action dealt with. “He’s a wasted asset . . . at his weight and age there’s only so much longer he can fight on,” Mr Millar contended. Ruling on the adjournment application, Mr Justice Colton accepted any delay could have consequences for the boxer.
“He’s entitled to anticipate his case would go ahead in May, and he has made adjustments to his professional career,” the judge said. “Any adjournment is a blow to him, I accept that and take that into account. But I’m persuaded it’s just not going to be possible to have a trial starting in May that would be fair to the parties.”
A new hearing date no earlier than September is expected to be confirmed within weeks.