Frampton stripped of WBA Title - Refused Rigondeaux fight

Carl Frampton says he is ready to "move on" after being stripped of the WBA world super-bantamweight title he won by beating Scott Quigg in February.

The Belfast boxer, 29, outpointed Quigg in a unification fight in Manchester to add the WBA title to his IBF belt.

Frampton had been ordered to defend his WBA title against Guillermo Rigondeaux by 27 July but looks set to fight Leo Santa Cruz for his featherweight crown.

"It's disappointing to have the title taken away but that's boxing," he said.

"The world hasn't come to an end and my career continues to move in the right direction. In boxing, you can't get away from the politics of the sport," Frampton added in the Sunday Life newspaper.

Frampton's manager Barry McGuigan had consistently ruled out the Cuban Rigondeaux as a possible opponent, while saying a showdown with Mexican WBA featherweight champion Santa Cruz was an "obvious fight".

Showtime indicated last month that Frampton and Santa Cruz have "agreed to a championship match-up to be scheduled for late summer".

"Talks are ongoing for a fight between me and Leo Santa Cruz and that would be massive," added Frampton.

In a statement issued on Friday, the WBA said: "In light of Frampton's announced intention to face an opponent other than his mandatory, and for failing to respond to WBA inquiries as to his intent, Frampton's recognition as champion is removed."

Rigo is easy to avoid. Too good for his own good and isn't an attraction. Feel a bit sorry for him.

Quigg vs chump for it then..

Rigo needs to fight, anyone, just going for the big fights isn't happening.

Take note of what Golovkin is doing

Fighting stiffs

Why is Ggg fighting stiffs Truss? People avoiding him. No doubt you will blow smoke up Aj butt for doing the same.

Rigo isn't even doing that

Rigondeaux v Quigg makes sense there.

No issue really if Framps ditches to go for LSC. Still a massive challenge and moving up a weight. Rigo is just untouchable.

Hasn't Lara offered GGG a fight but he's said No? believe Rigo is contesting this against someone but can't remember who it is. Would love to see Quigg step up to the mark though, but in a good showing (you don't have to win) and it's reputation restored

Lara had always said any fight would have to be at 160. It's only recently, and not particularly credibly, that he's mooted a fight at 160.

Good to see Rigondeaux get his title back then, just a shame Frampton didn't have the confidence to feel he could beat him and then move on to more lucrative fights.

I thought it was worth taking the fight for Frampton. If he loses its not likely to be too badly and he can blame making weight and no shame losing to Rigo. And if he wins he is suddenly a huge name and P4P top 10. Seems worth the risk to me.

Unfortunately I've lost a bit of respect for Frampton, it's a blatant duck.

I'm sure he is while bothered.

I'd rather watch Frampton v LSC to be honest. Would be a much better fight to watch. Immensely talented as he is, Rigo is a runner and he'd make it an awful watch.

Rigondeaux would send Quigg into retirement. Quigg is European level, no more.

RanjitPatel wrote:I'd rather watch Frampton v LSC to be honest. Would be a much better fight to watch. Immensely talented as he is, Rigo is a runner and he'd make it an awful watch.

I would rather the best boxers were the champions. It wouldn't mean other fights aren't more exciting, just that the World Champions are the best in the world.

I'm disappointed Frampton is still showing no ambition to face Rigo.
The WBA are a joke though, how long had Quigg that fake belt, 2 1/2 years, and they never forced him into mandatory status? Frampton has it under 2 1/2 months and he's stripped.

This story confirms 2 things the belt system is stupid, and none of the so called world champions will fight the aging Rigo.