Quigg v Frampton may be a little closer

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By Kevin Francis, courtesy of The Daily Star

SCOTT QUIGG believes that his long-awaited domestic dust-up with Carl Frampton could finally be on – if both win their next fights.

Bury bruiser Quigg defends his WBA super-bantamweight title against Kiko Martinez at the Manchester Arena on July 18.

On the same night, Belfast’s IBF champion Frampton meets Alejandro Gonzalez Jr in Texas – and Quigg is hoping the two UK fighters can come out on top.

It will open the way for a fight that looked to be dead in the water after after Frampton turned down a £1.5m offer from Quigg’s camp.

Now, however, 26-year-old Quigg says a clash with Frampton could take place later this year, saying:"I now have renewed confidence. I feel that, once I've dealt with Kiko, we can sit down and get this fight finally done.

“Frampton's team had to make that move to go over to the States because he has run out of options over here other than facing me.”

Quigg’s Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is also increasingly confident that the fight can be made and said: “It’s a bout that makes sense.

“I just hope that straight after those two fights, they are on the same night, that we can get it made just like that.

“I have spoke to Al Haymon’s (Frampton’s advisor) people and they say they want to make the fight. It remains the biggest fight out there and it still remains the biggest pay day out there for both of them.

“The fight makes sense but both Quigg and Frampton have to win on July 18. It’s certainly a massive fight that really does make sense.”

Quigg must, of course, overcome 30-year-old Martinez who lost his IBF belt to Frampton in Belfast last June.

It was the second time Frampton has gained a victory over the Spaniard after relieving him of the EBU title in February 2013.

Quigg, who is unbeaten in his 32 professional bouts, said: "The Martinez fight is one in which I want to go out and make a real statement.

"I'm confident that I can go out there and do a number on him. I have been preparing for what I expect Kiko to bring and I won’t be leaving anything to chance.

"Training has been going really well. I'm enjoying camp and the place I'm in at the moment is the best I've been in, both physically and mentally.”

He will certainly have to be at his best against Martinez who has finished 24 of his 32 victims inside the distance.

Quigg said: "Kiko's experience, knowledge and ability has improved dramatically over the years and he's become a much more intelligent fighter since winning a world title.

“He knows how and when to apply educated pressure rather than a fight like a headless chicken. I'm expecting him to come out all guns blazing from the first bell.

“I’m ready for that to happen but he will get a massive shock when I return fire. Kiko doesn't like being backed up and that's something I'm confident I can do throughout our fight.”

Quigg’s good friend Anthony Crolla also features on the Manchester Arena bill on his return from his life-threatening attack by burglars in December.

Crolla, 28, challenges 31-year-old Colombian Darleys Perez for the WBA lightweight title on action-packed bill.

It includes two British title fights with Sam Eggington facing Glenn Foot for the vacant welterweight belt and Chris Jenkins tackling Tyrone Nurse for the light-welterweight strap.

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It would be in Haymons best interest to let this one happen where it should.

I do not think it is any closer just because Al has some say in the fights Carl has. I feel it makes no difference.

I hope this isn't one of those fights we miss out on.