Frampton-Quigg: Final press conference quotes

Feb

Photo: Matchroom Boxing

On Thursday, Michael Buffer hosted the final press conference festivities ahead of the Carl Frampton-Scott Quigg unification showdown and the legendary ring announcer informed all those in attendance that we could be counting down the hours to a “legendary” fight on Saturday.

Frampton and Quigg will defend their IBF and WBA junior featherweight titles respectively in Manchester, England, in an event that has captured the attention of the boxing world. And while there is respect between the participants, the rivalry continued to simmer today when a dispute over dressing rooms led to the press conference being delayed.

“It’s a bit of a laughing matter,” said Frampton, which certainly belied the atmosphere. “Scott wants the dressing room that is reserved for the star of the show and contractually I’m the A-side here. The fight is called Frampton versus Quigg and I walk to the ring second, so I’m entitled to that dressing room.

“We came up with the idea that (out of principle) we would lock that room off and use different dressing rooms but he wants it. I think he’s very superstitious and that’s a sign of weakness on my part. I don’t care what dressing room I’m in.”

“Okay, that’s resolved,” barked Quigg. “I’m the home fighter and I get the home dressing room.”

Whether that issue has been resolved remains to be seen but both fighters had to be separated when the traditional head-to-head stare down threatened to get physical after Frampton put his hand on Quigg’s shoulder.

Carl Frampton, IBF junior featherweight champion and THE RING No. 3 at 122 pounds:

“I believe I’m a better fighter. I feel that I’m better in every single department. No disrespect to Scott but I’ve felt like that for four or five years and I still feel like that today.

“Everything needed to be perfect (in regards to making weight). I’ve took the most serious approach that I’ve ever taken for any fight and at a check weigh-in with the (British Boxing) Board of Control my weight was fine. I’ve done everything right this time, simply because I knew I had to. I don’t want to lose and that’s the bottom line.”

Scott Quigg, WBA junior featherweight champion and THE RING No. 2 at 122 pounds:

“I (also) feel that I’m better in every single department. Nobody lives like I do and from the moment I dropped out of school, I’ve dedicated my life to this sport.

“I’m (always) dedicated and disciplined and things were no different for this one. I believe that I’ll be the bigger man in the ring but it’s my ability and my boxing brain that will win me this fight.”

Eddie Hearn, Head of Matchroom Boxing, Promoter of Scott Quigg:

“I believe that it’s bigger than Carl Froch versus George Groves two on a global scale. I think, despite the rivalry, everybody at this table can be proud of the job they’ve done to make this fight happen.

“If you don’t make fights like this, you’ll see the sport die. One thing that is being understated is the atmosphere that will be generated inside the arena. (On U.K. shores) there was Carl Froch versus Lucian Bute and Ricky Hatton versus Kostya Tzsyu but I believe this eclipses all of that.”

Barry McGuigan, Head of Cyclone Promotions, Manager and Promoter of Carl Frampton:

“He (Eddie Hearn) is absolutely spot on. There’s never been a fight of this magnitude at junior featherweight anywhere in Europe. It’s very difficult to compare things to the great Mexican fighters of the past but it has got that sort of Morales-Barrera rub to it.

“It’s a magnificent occasion and it’s a 50/50 split on who people believe is going to win.”

Carl Frampton vs. Scott Quigg is available via Sky Box Office in the U.K. with the show commencing at 6.00pm. Showtime will televise the main event in the U.S. and that broadcast will begin at 5.30pm ET/ PT.

Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing