At the Manchester Arena, UK, Carl Frampton became the unified WBA and IBF Junior Featherweight champion, out-pointing his fierce rival Scott Quigg. Official scorecards came in at 116-112 (twice) for Frampton, and 115-113 for Quigg which, I’m sure most spectators would agree, was somewhat baffling. Here at Boxing Base we had it 116-112 for Frampton.
After an actionless opener, Frampton began to settle into the fight, stealing rounds by out-working a tightly-wound Quigg who seemed to be poised to land a fight-changing counter. Quigg started to assert himself more in the 6th to 8th rounds, landing infrequent but telling blows on a loose and elusive Frampton.
At this point, it seemed like the highly anticipated Frampton vs Quigg was going to be more glorified sparring match than electrifying domestic rivalry. But things suddenly changed when Quigg entered the 9th with a newfound aggression, immediately letting his hands fly all over Frampton and soon turning his attention to the body. Quigg was back in the fight, had unquestionably claimed a big stanza, and was finally taking the contest by the scruff of the neck.
Fans around the world wanted to see two of the division’s greatest talents bring out the best in one another, and that wish was beginning to come true, albeit a little late. Quigg continued to pile on tremendous pressure in the championship rounds, taking away Frampton’s legs by targeting his body with hellacious shots. Frampton, who was hurt several times, had no choice but to respond and engage in a bomb-filled, toe-to-toe war, but ultimately lost the 10th and 11th rounds on my card.
Both fighters embraced at the start of the 12th, but the violence commenced not long after. Quigg loaded up with his ripping body-head combinations, and Frampton, now under relentless pressure and with less steam in his engine, had to respond and survive to the bell. The round was close, but Frampton did enough for me to warrant the 116-112 final score.
Frampton now extends his unbeaten record to 22 wins and 14 knockouts, while Quigg picks up his first pro career defeat, his record now reading 31 wins, 23 knockouts, 1 defeat and 2 draws. Quigg turned this slow-burner into one hell of a battle, and so I’ll end by asking you this one unescapable question: If he had charged in a round or two earlier, would the result of Frampton vs Quigg have been any different?
Frampton vs Quigg Undercard
McDonnell vs Sanchez
Gavin McDonnell turned in a Unanimous Decision against a very lively and durable Jorge Sanchez, winning on scores of 119-108 (twice) and 118-109. Sanchez left it all in the ring, forcing McDonnell to stay alert and fight for 12 fast-paced rounds, but this was McDonnell’s night. The Scotsman fought an intelligent fight, applied his much-improved headmovement to great affect, and when coupled with great mobility made this a contest he simply couldn’t lose.
Sanchez posed some moderate danger on rare occasions with some wild right-hands, but McDonnell knew how to keep his man off balance and at range. This was a decent win from McDonnell who now moves closer to a crack at the WBC Junior Featherweight crown. McDonnell jumps to 15 wins, 4 knockouts, no defeats and 2 draws, while Sanchez picks up his first pro loss, leaving the arena with 15 wins, 9 knockouts and 1 defeat.
Burnett vs Settoul
Ryan Burnett put on a boxing clinic against Anthony Settoul, knocking down his foe in the 5th round en route to bagging a Unanimous Decision. Official scorecards comprised of 100-90 and 100-89 (twice) and, despite Settoul showing tremendous heart to stick it out for the full 10 rounds, these were very fair scores. Burnett looks like a very promising upstart, indeed. He was comfortable throughout this affair, utilizing fast, crisp combinations and some impressive footwork. The guy could be special.
Burnett now jumps to 13 wins, 9 knockouts and no defeats, while Settoul leaves Manchester with 21 wins, 8 knockouts and 5 defeats.
Lowe vs McCullough
Isaac Lowe was in with a capable and stubborn opponent in Marco McCullough, but took care of business thanks to his superior speed and ring savvy. McCullough was game throughout, but became overwhelmed in the 8th. With the fight beaten out of his man, Lowe turned on the heat, punishing McCullough with a barrage of unanswered attacks to the head and body. McCullough’s corner had seen enough and quite rightly saved their man from further punishment.
Lowe, who picks up the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title, now extends his unbeaten record, moving to 12 wins, 5 knockouts and 1 draw, while McCullough drops to 14 wins, 9 knockouts and 3 defeats.
Burton vs Shinkwin
Hosea Burton put on a fine showing of himself against tough customer Miles Shinkwin, dropping his foe in rounds 2 and 5 en route to a 6th round TKO. Burton is a diamond in the rough, for sure, but picked his shots well in this encounter. It was a short right-hand counter that eventually reduced Shinkwin’s legs to rubber in the 6th, and that was enough to prompt the third man in the ring to step in and show mercy.
Burton, who improves to 15 wins, 6 knockouts and no defeats, now picks up the vacant British Light Heavyweight title, while Shinkwin suffers his first blemish, dropping to 12 wins, 6 knockouts and 1 defeat.
Edwards vs Wilton
Charlie Edwards had no problems getting the better of Luke Wilton in their 12-round Flyweight appetizer, turning in a Unanimous Decision. Edwards now builds to 7 wins, 3 knockouts and no defeats, while Wilton falls to 16 wins, 7 knockouts, 5 defeats and 1 draw.
Give us your take on Frampton vs Quigg, McDonnell vs Sanchez and the rest of the Manchester card below.
