Ciarán Galagher reports from Manchester
CARL FRAMPTON CLAIMED a split-decision points win to defeat Scott Quigg in their grudge fight at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.
The Belfast native is now the unified IBF and WBA champion world super-bantamweight champion after what could nearly be deemed a fight of two halves as Frampton boxed in a measured fashion to take control of the contest, while Quigg exerted his pressure later on.
With a split that could be estimated at least 2-1 (most likely more) in favour of Frampton’s support, a certain air of nervousness seemed to transfer into the ring after the opening bell as neither fighter threw anything of real substance in the first round and Frampton won the first few rounds on work-rate as he pawed Quigg with his jab.
Somewhat unusually, Quigg – known for being more of a pressure fighter – appeared to be boxing on the back foot with Frampton in pursuit of his opponent. Again, the Belfast IBF champion appeared a little bit busier in the third.
A big right hand from Quigg to Frampton’s chin midway through the fourth was arguably the most eye-catching punch of the fight up to that point, but the ‘away’ fighter took it well and out-boxed the Bury man for most of the round.
Frampton’s work-rate continued to win him rounds before the fighters finally traded an exchange of substance towards the end of the seventh. Frampton had not appeared to really hurt his opponent, but the Irishman looked to be in control as Quigg continued to throw singe shots or two punch-combinations with little landing.
Quigg, often a destructive body puncher, finally worked his opponent’s body early on in the eighth and landed a good left hook to the head although he dropped the pace towards the end of the round.
The WBA champion put his foot on the gas again in the following stanza, however, as he threw shots to Frampton’s body and landed a big right hand on the Belfast man’s chin. The rivals readily traded in a close 10th and Quigg gradually boxed with more and more pressure.
Quigg worked the body well in the penultimate round as Frampton looked drained by his foe’s body shots although he also traded shots to the ribs. Quigg landed a big hook late on but the Belfast man did not appear to be shaken by the punch.
A close final round was a hard one to call, although Frampton may have been a bit busier.
Pittsburgh’s Ernie Sharif had little to do for most of the fight before the scorecards were announced.
Judges Dave Parris and Carlos Sucre had it 116-112 for Frampton, with Levi Martinez scoring it 115-113 for Quigg. This reported had it 117-112 for Frampton.
Bantamweight Ryan Burnett, meanwhile, made it a double for Belfast as he claimed a wide 10-round points win over Anthony Settoul of France.
Another Belfast fighter, featherweight Marco McCullough, was stopped by Isaac Lowe of Morecombe after eight rounds, while Tyrone middleweight Conrad Cummings emerged victorious.
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