Carl Frampton vs. Scott Quigg Seems Destined Not to Happen in 2015

When Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg defended their world titles on the same night on opposite sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, it was expected one would win quickly while the other would be pushed all the way.

Those predictions came true—just not the right way around. 

Despite being on different continents, the super bantamweights entered the ring at almost identical times.

On paper, Quigg had the much tougher test. The Bury boxer, making his comeback after hand surgery at the end of last year, put his WBA belt on the line against Kiko Martinez.

The challenger was a former holder of the IBF belt and was no stranger to fighting on the road, having previously been on cards in Argentina, France, South Africa and the United States.

He had also lost twice before to Frampton in his 37-fight career, with the Jackal the only man to have previously stopped him.

That was, however, until Quigg recorded a TKO triumph over Martinez in the second round in Manchester. An uppercut did the initial damage, and from then on the pressure proved too much for the Spaniard.

Peter Morrison/Associated Press

While his rival was celebrating the biggest result of his career to date back in England, IBF champion Frampton was finding the going tough against little-known Mexican Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. in El Paso, Texas.

The Northern Irishman was sensationally dropped twice in the first round by an opponent whose only previous tilt at a professional title had been for the interim WBC Youth Silver bantamweight strap.

Frampton did recover from the double setback, gradually gaining control as the fight wore on.

Helped by Gonzalez Jr. being deducted two points for low blows, essentially handing back the advantage he had quickly gained in the first round, the champion held on to his title with a comfortable points win.

It might not have been quite the first impression he wanted to make in his American debut, but the 28-year-old had managed to stretch his unbeaten record to 21-0 (14 KOs).

The scores had barely been read out and yet Twitter quickly became awash with talk about a potential bout between Frampton and Quigg:

"

Quigg-Frampton straw poll after last night: RT for Quigg, FAV for Frampton

— Danny Flexen (@DannyFlexen) July 19, 2015"

Dewi Powell’s tweet rather summed up the situation—after contrasting performances, there was a feeling that the balance of power may have suddenly shifted in favour of Quigg:

"

The Frampton-Quigg balance of public perception and negotiating righteousness changed so drastically in the space of an hour. #Boxing

— Dewi Powell (@DewiPowell) July 19, 2015"

However, an all-British showdown is no closer to becoming a reality. Instead of being on a collision course, the duo look to be heading in different directions.

In a post-fight interview with ITV Sport (h/t the Guardian), Frampton admitted his next outing could be in a new division: "I have to seriously consider whether to stay at this weight or go to featherweight. I had a lot of weight to take off during the last few days before the fight."

Whether it was down to weight issues or not, the Belfast boxer was not able to match the performance he produced to stop Chris Avalos back in February.

He was always too good for Gonzalez Jr. and yet lacked the snap in his punches to force a stoppage. It was a satisfactory start to life under Al Haymon, but not the statement he had wanted to make.

Eddie Hearn, Quigg’s promoter, couldn’t help but stir the pot back home, per David Anderson of the Mirror:

"

I think if Frampton is getting knocked over twice by the 11th best super-bantamweight in Mexico, he ain't going to last six rounds with Scott Quigg.

Frampton will now move up to feather as an excuse for avoiding the fight with Scott Quigg.

He's not going to get hit like that and survive the fight. And after this, they'll know that even more, so the obvious move for them would be to move to feather. We've got other plans anyway.

"

It seems those “other plans” talked about by Hearn—who made a very public offer to Frampton’s team earlier this year in the hope of making a deal—could involve the Filipino Flash, Nonito Donaire.

Quigg’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, had potentially given a glimpse into the future prior to Saturday night, telling Sky Sports: "If he (Quigg) gets past Martinez, it'll be Nonito Donaire. It won't be Carl Frampton.”

Yet Guillermo Rigondeaux is also in the mix for Quigg, who is now 31-0-2 (23 KOs).

Gary Hyde, the unbeaten Rigondeaux's manager, told RingTV.com (h/t Scott Gilfoid of Boxing News 24): “We can confirm that talks have started between Eddie Hearn and me with regards to Scott Quigg fighting Guillermo Rigondeaux in Manchester before the year is out. Eddie told me this morning that Quigg is ready to step up and take on Rigondeaux.”

So, while Frampton contemplates the idea of going up to 126 pounds, Quigg's team continues in their quest to book a leading name for later in 2015.

The biggest payday for either, however, would come if they went up against each other. Sadly, that might be one of the few things the two sides can agree on right now.