Even in retirement, two-weight world champion Carl Frampton is a part of one of the fiercest rivalries in the world of boxing, continuously going back and forth with his former manager and promoter, Barry McGuigan.
However, Frampton has now revealed that he came extremely close to joining McGuigan on a popular TV show that is set to commence this month.
‘The Jackal’ became the IBF super-bantamweight champion when he outpointed Kiko Martinez for the title back in 2014 and would go on to make three defences of the strap, including a famous grudge match victory over Scott Quigg, before moving up in weight.
At featherweight. Frampton continued his success by edging a majority-decision over Leo Santa Cruz to claim the WBA world title on his debut at the weight – although Santa Cruz was able to level the scores in the rematch and hand Frampton a first career defeat.
Shortly after that defeat, Frampton and McGuigan split and legal teams became involved – a sour ending to the relationship that still makes headlines when the regular spats between the pair occur.
It has now been announced that former WBA featherweight champion McGuigan will be appearing on ITV’s jungle-based reality TV show ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’, and would have done so alongside cruiserweight prospect Tommy Fury had he not pulled out on late-notice
Speaking exclusively with Boxing Social, Frampton revealed that he was close to being Fury’s replacement despite his dislike of McGuigan, only to be informed that McFly’s Danny Jones was instead selected.
🦘 @RealCFrampton reveals he was very nearly on this seasons I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
Barry McGuigan is reported to be on the show.
🎥 https://t.co/u7BKKqxgms#Boxingpic.twitter.com/EpFf0mfPLJ
— Boxing Social (@boxing_social) November 3, 2024
“I might [tune in], I don’t know. I swear to God I was nearly in it last week.
“When Tommy Fury pulled out there was me and two others [hoping to take his spot], then there was me and one other and then the fella from McFly got it instead of me.
“So obviously I think there must have been a debate that would have put me and McGuigan in at the same time, by the way I would have loved to have been in with him, I would have absolutely loved it, but it wasn’t to be.
“Maybe next year!”
The first episode of this years’ series takes place on Sunday 17th December, where Danny Jones opens as the early betting favourite to win the show, whilst McGuigan is consider as a major outsider.
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