Tensions between Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg threaten to boil over as promotional tour reaches Belfast

  • Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg will face each other on February 27
  • The super-bantamweight world-title eliminator will be in Manchester
  • The two fighters have been on a three-city press tour in London, Manchester and Belfast 

By Ciaran Gallagher For Mailonline

Published: 16:47 EST, 18 November 2015 | Updated: 21:40 EST, 18 November 2015

Civilities ceased as the trash talk between Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg, and their respective teams, reached new levels on the final leg of the press tour to launch their world-title unification showdown in Belfast on Wednesday.

On a collision course for over five years, Frampton and Quigg will finally meet in a super-bantamweight world-title eliminator on February 27 after Sky Box Office staged a three-leg press tour to launch the much-anticipated pay-per-view fight.

Tensions had gradually risen between the undefeated fighters during London and Manchester press events this week, but a raucous Belfast crowd of nearly one thousand at the Europa Hotel created a fiery atmosphere at the public press conference on Wednesday.

Carl Frampton (left) and Scott Quigg (right) go face to face in Belfast as part of their press tour

Carl Frampton (left) and Scott Quigg (right) go face to face in Belfast as part of their press tour

Frampton holds up a sign with the words 'Real Champion' on it while sitting next to Barry McGuigan

Frampton holds up a sign with the words 'Real Champion' on it while sitting next to Barry McGuigan

Quigg and his trainer Joe Gallagher were treated to a hostile reception from Frampton's home support, while Matchroom promoter Hearn was also loudly heckled.

Hearn previously promoted Frampton before linking up with Quigg and the Matchroom promoter was quizzed about his 2013 prediction when he stated that the Irish fighter would beat his English rival.

'Two years ago, Scott wasn't anywhere near the fighter he is now,' said Hearn. 'I think last July showed a lot about both fighters – Scott's demolition of Kiko Martinez was very impressive, Carl Frampton's debut in America wasn't and I think that's changed everyone's view on it,' continued the Matchroom promoter, referring to Frampton's points victory over Alejandro Gonzalez Jr when the Irishman had to get up from the canvas twice to win.

Frampton stands in front of his Belfast fans and takes a selfie after the press conference

Frampton stands in front of his Belfast fans and takes a selfie after the press conference

The fans gather behind Frampton to try and get themselves in the shot 

The fans gather behind Frampton to try and get themselves in the shot 

'Taking nothing away from Carl, it's not a gimme, but I think this is a fight that Scott Quigg is going to win comfortably,' added Hearn, whose response provoked an irritated response from Frampton.

The IBF world champion accused Hearn of 'lying' about his assessment of the fight and claimed the promoter only agreed to make the fight because of the potential earning power of the bout.

Hearn shot back, saying: 'Money is relevant, but you'd be getting nowhere near this payday without us and Sky so that's the bottom line.'

Quigg and trainer Joe Gallagher smile after being greeted by a hostile Belfast crowd  

Quigg and trainer Joe Gallagher smile after being greeted by a hostile Belfast crowd  

Quigg's promoter Eddie Hearn was heckled throughout the press conference 

Quigg's promoter Eddie Hearn was heckled throughout the press conference 

Hearn this week revealed that Frampton will earn the bigger purse of the two fighters but Quigg said: 'I'm happy with what I've got and the deal got done because of me. I'm not money motivated – I'm motivated by the will to win.'

Even though the fight is set for Manchester, Frampton is expected to have a huge travelling support from Ireland.

Frampton and Quigg trash talk as they pose for the customary head to head photograph 

Frampton and Quigg trash talk as they pose for the customary head to head photograph 

Quigg agreed with Hearn and Gallagher's remarks that that the Irishman will not be able to take his support into the ring with him, but Frampton countered by claiming that the pre-fight trash talk was designed to 'wind him up'.

Frampton said: 'Quigg is plucking at straws. They don't know what to say… This fight is bigger than anything I've been involved in but it's 20 times bigger than any fight Scott Quigg's ever been involved in,' added the Belfast native.

 

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