Agencies
Carl Frampton added Scott Quigg’s WBA super-bantamweight belt to his IBF one by winning their unification fight by split decision on Saturday.
Frampton, from Northern Ireland, was only a slight favourite against local fighter Quigg, and the fight between the unbeaten pair also played out closely over 12 mainly cagey rounds before a sellout crowd of 20,000.
A good final round by Frampton, who frustrated Quigg and came off the ropes with uppercuts, may have decided it for the judges, two of whom scored it 116-112 for Frampton. The third gave it to Quigg by 115-113.
Frampton improved his record to 22-0, having owned the IBF belt for a year.
Frampton paid tribute to Quigg with whom he had fought a fierce war of words in the build-up to the fight – over the choice of dressing rooms.
“That’s the end of all the disrespect – from my side anyway,” he told the BBC.
“I’m proud to have beaten a very good fighter tonight. He was a worthy champion.”
Quigg’s record dropped to 31-1-2, having lost the WBA version he’s owned for three years.
Frampton also guaranteed fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy a night out at Wayne Rooney’s expense.
The hotly-anticipated bout had led to a good-natured Twitter duel between golf star McIlroy and Manchester United striker Rooney.
“Both top fighters mate but @scottquigg for me. How about the loser pays the bill next time your in Manchester?” challenged Rooney on Twitter on the eve of the fight.
McIlroy retorted: “You’re a legend Wayne but it’s @RealCFrampton all the way!”
And as soon as the victory was confirmed, the four-time major winner and former world No 1 golfer gleefully claimed his prize.
“YESSSS!!!! Well done @RealCFrampton! Fought a smart fight. Get your wallet out @WayneRooney!!,” tweeted the 26-year-old.
Both McIlroy and Rooney had plenty of time to watch Saturday’s fight.
On Friday, McIlroy missed the cut at the Honda Classic in Florida while United and England skipper Rooney is currently sidelined with a knee injury.
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