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Frampton has signed an "advisory" deal with MTK (Matt Macklin)

This doesn't mean they are his new promoter but seem to be assisting him with getting a promoter.

MR - any idea what this means ?

Seems a bit strange, perhaps it is a similar arrangement to Mick Conlan, opening up the possibility of teaming up with an American promoter like Top Rank with MTK being the European representatives.

Dont think it makes a renewed partnership with Eddie Hearn likely now if MTK are involved.

[Intermediate]

Kerry were outstanding on the day, everything seemed to work for them.  Despite the scoreline they still left 2 or 3 goal opportunities behind them.  If the game was played another 10 times, I wouldn't be surprised if Kerry won all 10.
With 11mins played Derry had the momentum after score 3points on the bounce to leave a single point between the sides.
10mins later and there is 11 points between the sides.  Clifford's second goal where he had 2/3 men hanging off him yet still managed to score a goal.  The third goal.. Clifford was being forced away from the goals by good defence, but still he managed to pick out the runner and it was game over.
Derry could have played more defensively, they could've had 5 sweepers, they could have double marked Clifford.  All it would have done was kept the scoreline down.  We still wouldn't have won it.  And the comments would be about Derry ruining the game and having a go at the tactics.
The thing that stood out for me was the speed of the Kerry players. There was a couple of things that stood out.  One of the Kerry players soloing up the pitch was moving away from the defender trying to chase him.  When it happened the other way around, the Derry players were easily caught.  On the 4th goal from the other Clifford, his run was being tracked even though he was going at a decent pace, but then he quicken for 5/10yrds to completely destroy his man.

Regardless of the result.  In the last 3 years Derry have won 2 Ulster minor titles and played in an All Ireland final.  Which for a county like Derry is a decent return. 
On the Coleraine lads, would you rather the chance of winning a prestigious All-Ireland Club title or an Intermediate county title?
On the exiles, anyone who wants to play for Derry should be given the opportunity to impress the new management.

It was actually junior. I don't blame the lads for playing in the sevens. Because they won Ulster junior two years ago they were unable to progress to Ulster junior this year. The final against na magha was pointless. Win or lose na magha would progress to Ulster. If it was an intermediate or senior championship match the boys most definitely would have played.

All the best to na magha lavey and slaughtneil in Ulster.

If you were one of those young lads not in the  elite athletic group in Coleraine surely you would feel badly let down though.  At the end of the day The Kilmacuds is a 7s competition for clubs who have been knocked out of their own championships and want a piss up in Dublin.  Don't think they would have been there had screen not beat them.

The dates for championship were set months ago. If eoghan rua wanted to play intermediate they shouldn't have finished last in the league.

Selling the prestige of the 7s just a bit short there ! Try telling someone from St Gall's or Bryansford that the 7s is a tournament for players after a piss up.  Ridiculous comment.  Eoghan Rua became only the third Derry team after Ballinderry and Bellaghy to win it.  Congrats to them.

Coleraine and Ballinderry (who put tournament favourites st galls out) played some great football during the tournament.

If it's a choice between a junior hurling final with no prospect of playing in Ulster or an all Ireland sevens tournament they had a good chance of winning , there's only going to be one winner surely.

I'm sure Coleraine didn't go into the league with intentions of finishing last, I dont think any team that finishes last in any league usually does to be fair.  I would hazard a guess and say that it wasn't as simple as that.

From speaking to a Coleraine man at the weekend I understand they applied for the fixture to be moved and na magha said no. 
.....

Well done to Derry minors, the disappointing result shouldn't detract from what has not only been a good year but a good period for Derry minors reaching three Ulster finals in a row.

Hopefully McErlain is given a proper chance with Derry so that a few of the good young players he's seen emerge under his watch can make an impact on the senior team, that's not going to happen in one year.

.....

Well done to Na Magha, Lavey and Sneil best of luck in Ulster.

Who did he convince he had a chance? maybe some idiots watching UFC flat out thought he had one but no body in the real world did.

There was more than a few idiots. The vast majority of money places on the fight was for McGregor.  You could argue that was placed in hope rather than expectation.

The fact that fight got sanctioned rather than get dismissed as a ridiculous mismatch says he convinced influential people.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/boxing/world-reacts-to-floyd-mayweatherconor-mcgregor-megafight/news-story/72fd0ca69ca827f086d8f1f73a60a463

Always question punch stats these days. Particularly after the pacquiao vs horn bout which stats had pacquiao clearly winning but the below bit was interesting:

"McGregor's debut in the ring may have ended in heartbreak, but at least the Irishman has something to brag about.

McGregor's effort against Mayweather saw him land more successful punches than Manny Pacquiao in his superfight against the undefeated star in 2015.

McGregor sits behind only Canelo Alvarez for the most blows landed on the 40-year-old in his 50-fight history."

I doubt the above could be true. 

McGregor did as well as he could have. 

In terms of anyone criticising for not pacing himself I think that's a bit harsh.  The guy has never had a pro boxing fight.  Boxers that go pro (even if they've got an extensive amateur fight background) would never go into a 12 rounder for their first fight. Usually starting off with a four rounder and building up to 12 over over four or five fights.

McGregor's biggest achievement was talking himself into getting a shot.

Mayweather eclipsing Marciano's record will always be a bit tainted for me.  Not a great way to achieve the record for him against a guy in his first pro fight but he is never going to turn down an easy lucrative pay day.

There was a bit of an outcry from many in the media about pros going in against amateurs for the Olympics on the basis it would be a mismatch.  Never was the same outcry about this one, McGregor was able to get the same people to overlook that by convincing many that he had a chance.  Fair play to him.

I think this has been on the cards for quite a while but the timing now could work in Frampton's favour.

Santa Cruz vs Mares II has fallen through.  That elusive trilogy fight could now hopefully happen.

Will be interesting to see what the new promoter / coach arrangement is.  Early chat is that it will be Frank Warren / Adam Booth.  They've had a couple of differences in the past but I wouldn't rule out a return to Eddie Hearn.  Any differences between them before was largely due to Carl's loyalty to Barry McGuigan who didn't see eye to eye with Hearn.  Barry from everything i've heard from various sources isn't the easiest person in the world to work with.  The only reason the Frampton vs Quigg fight happened is because Barry stepped out of the picture and let Jake and Blaine McGuigan handle negotiations with Hearn.

Hearn like him or loathe him is the best in the business as a promoter and there's a better chance of getting the big fights / paydays by working with him.  You only have to look at the recent example of Ryan Burnett from being homeless sleeping in his car after leaving Ricky Hatton to teaming up with Hearn and getting a world title shot.  Hearn would surely relish having both Belfast fighters on his books.

Fair play, he was yeah.  I don't think a lot of people would have remembered any of that undercard. It wasn't exactly a pick'em fight.  Lomachenko who was pretty much thrown in at the deep end on account of his amateur pedigree was in against tougher opponents in earlier fights - the likes of Gary Russel Jnr and Salido.  I was out in Vegas at the time and I can only remember being interested in getting a look at Santa Cruz as there was a lot of chat that he was a future opponent for Frampton. I was just trying to make the point that it doesn't matter what the undercard is, I don't think it will really influence PPV buys.  As for credibility, even a strong undercard won't win over the cynics - this will still be regarded by many people as a farce of a contest. If the fight itself is a patch on the build up to the fight it will be worth a watch. Don't hold out much hope for that but I will still watch it regardless.

watch the video of McGregor on the late late show 4 years ago - he made it to the UFC on a $20K to fight $20K to win contract, added some bonuses along the way...three years later he was the FW Champion of the World and the highest paid man on the roster....since then he added the LW title and made the Forbes Top 25 richest athletes....from the dole to that in about 4 years? And he's looking at in the region of $100million for this fight, a fight he talked himself in to.
I can only tip my hat to him.... I'll pay for the PPV - he deserves it. He'll more than likely be destroyed. But he doesn't care and neither do I...

+1

It's a remarkable story. He not only talked his way into it, he managed to sell it to the Floyd Mayweather and the world. Saw a tweet from McGregor from 3 years ago (I think) which simply said "Get in. Get rich. Get out."   That's exactly what's he done.

I have to admit I didn't think this fight would come to pass ... thought that both fighters were happy to just be talked about, remaining current (more so Mayweather) and keeping the sponsorship deals intact. There is still a bit of me thinks it won't happen, some last minute injury putting the spoilers on it. Just seems ridiculous a guy who hasn't boxed professionally fighting Floyd Mayweather.  Not sure how this can be regarded as Mayweather's 50th fight.  Seems a bit of a fraudulent way to eclipse Marciano's record.

The timing of this is genius by Mayweather promotions / Showtime TV it completely overshadows two massive boxing fights.  Kovalev fights Andre Ward in a rematch of what was an extremely tight first fight this weekend ... nobody is talking about it.  A few weeks after Mayweather vs McGregor is due to take place the biggest fight in boxing is taking place ... Golovkin vs Alvarez and once again no one is talking about it.  De la Hoya and HBO are livid, that's the real reason De la Hoya has been so critical of this fight.

Saw a recent post saying that it would need a strong undercard ... nonsense.  The main fight breaks PPV records by itself when that happens no one cares about the undercard.  Can anyone remember who the undercard was for Pacquiao vs Mayweather ? As for Mayweather promotions looking to get Paddy Barnes on the undercard lol ... unless he is renewing his Olympics spat with Rory McIlroy and fighting him I can't see it happening.  Maybe Mayweather promotions will look to get big Martin Rogan on the bill instead ...

Iceman - what's your take on the McGregor having to put on 10 oz gloves ... surely that's a world of difference from UFC mitts and will nullify his power ?

Do you think McGregor would be able to last the 12 rounds ?

The bookmakers odds seem to be tightening all the time.  Some bookies have McGregor as short as 4/1 and as the hype train goes full steam as August 26th gets closer I think those odds will shorten.  I don't know how anyone could touch McGregor at 40/1. People talk about anyone in a ring can have a puncher's chance but forget about Buster Douglas, if this fight does actually happens and McGregor gets his hand raised it would have to be the biggest upset of all time.

[UPDATED LIST:]

UPDATED LIST:

16/10/2016
Monaghan (Scotstown) v Down (Kilcoo)

30/10/2016
Tyrone (Killyclogher/Coalisland) v Antrim (St Galls/Cargin/Lamh Dherg)

Derry (Slaughtneil/Loup) v Fermanagh (Derrygonnelly)

Armagh (Maghery/St Pats) v Cavan (Castlerahan/Ramor)

Monaghan/Down (Scotstown/Kilcoo) v Donegal (Kilcar/Glenswilly)

Does anyone know what the semi final draw pathway is or is it open draw ? Cheers

Mick Conlan has gone pro with Top Rank (Bob Arum's promotion company).   That's some move for him.  The robbery got him some exposure, even if he had got a gold medal he wouldn't have got a fraction of that and he's benefitted big time from it. Fair play to him, deserves to benefit from it.

Paddy Barnes has also gone pro and signed with MGM (Matt Macklin's promotion company) which Jamie Conlan is also a part of.

Great position to be in, to not only have plenty of options but to be able to call the shots on those options.

Woke up on the morning after the fight and took a look at the Sports Personality of the Year award market.  Stan James had him priced up at 200/1, thought i't was worth a  fiver.  They were not offering e/w terms (i.e. top 3 finish), wish they were.  If Frampton has a big fight in October/ November I think he would be a contender for a top 3 finish in it especially if it was Selby but can't see it happening this year.  In contrast to the likes of Murray at least Frampton has the personality which despite the title of the award doesn't seem to be as an important part of the criteria as it should be.

Iceman - Agree a fight with Mares would do better PPV numbers in the States.  Think if Carl had his heart set on a fight in Belfast then Mares would be willing to travel over. 

I see box rec now have Frampton in the top ten pound for pound fighters list at number 9, sandwiched between Klitschko at number 8 and Kell Brook at number 10.

Some achievement and well deserved.

One boy up the list a bit who's place might not be so comfortable at the minute is Tyson Fury, he pulled out of the Klitschko fight citing injury on the same day he was banned by the UKAD for testing positive for nandrolone.  Ban has been lifted ahead until a hearing in front of the national anti doping panel. 


MR - Interested in your thoughts where Frampton goes from here ?  Selby fight would be great but would be a bigger fight if Selby has a high profile win beforehand.

I could see someone like Abner Mares coming over to Belfast for his next fight ?  Mares still a big name stateside with a point to prove.

Unreal ! World class performance from Frampton tonight. Winner in my book not quite by the margin that two of the judges had it but I was scoring it being fairly critical of Frampton to leave a bit of breathing room for bias.  Great performance, landing the cleaner punches, being elusive and not letting SC establish any true rhythm.

Gallsman - couldn't put it better, absolute role model and a class act.

Ashman - To be fair I don't think mcGuigan ever had a policy that Carl's fights were going to be on terrestrial TV.  Ultimately it's going to be on the channel that will offer the most revenue. In terms of order you are talking 1. Sky (difficult unless you are a matchroom fighter or facing a matchroom fighter)  2. Boxnation 3. The likes of Premier or Setanta 4. Terrestrial  ..... and if your name is David Haye, you are fighting an absolute bum and you can't give tickets away for the fight you will fight on a channel called Dave.

I think it was Chris Avalos and Gonzalez Jnr that Frampton fought on ITV and with the fight being on ITV then they were always going to be a few positive noises about the general public getting to see it.  From what i remember the viewing figures were quite good for both of them but you couldn't compare this fight to those two.  Santa Cruz is a proper operator and with that there is major interest in this fight.

In terms of a prediction - I really hope i'm wrong but struggling to see how Frampton will be able to penetrate the reach advantage.  I've no doubt that he is feeling stronger than he has ever but the thing to bear in mind is that while he is punching harder than he was that with fighting in a higher weight class his opponents will now have greater punch resistance.

Frampton will have a game plan and I was looking at his sparring partners, one guy Pablo Rubio is not only a similar build and style to Santa Cruz but has also sparred with Santa Cruz which will hopefully give Frampton a pretty useful inside track into fighting SC.  I see McGuigan has been referring to Rubio as their secret weapon, refusing to reveal his name to the press but it's not hard to work out who McGuigan is talking about.  Frampton's camp seem to be exuding confidence and relishing the underdog status.

My head says Santa Cruz wins this on a decision, my heart says that Frampton wins by 10th round KO.   I think I am going to go with my heart on this one.

The very end of this interview with Frampton had me laughing.  See what his response is to how his fans back home are going to stay awake for the fight (about the 3 minute mark onwards), would love to see him winning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AprMwkbjuC4

I'm still shocked by this. Thought Golvokin vs Eubank was a done deal. Golovkin was taunting Eubank over social media to sign the deal and then next thing this fight comes out of the blue. Eubank maintaining the whole time that he was never shown one contract.    Both Eubank and Brook are represented by Hearn, I still haven't seen anything from Hearn describing what's happened here.  I'd imagine that Chris Eubank snr would be an absolute nightmare to work with. I reckon he was playing hard ball to the extent that even Hearn got fed up with it and made the fight for Brook instead.

I'd been organising a trip to Manchester to see the Linares vs Crolla fight at the end of September. Think that will be a cracker of a fight but now tempted by this. Hearn will have presented it to Brook as a win win situation.  Would have rather seen the two more natural match ups (Khan vs Brook, Alvarez vs GGG). But they both could still happen.

Anyone making the trip for the Frampton vs Santa Cruz fight ?

Not making fight, in-laws' going.... Going to be a tough ask for Carl... Taller fighter bigger weight good puncher, away from home..just a few factor's for me that will work against him....

Carl would need to start early, get the hard body shots in and put him away quickly, cant let it go further than 8/9 rounds for me, home decision and all that

A tough night lies ahead for Frampton, no doubt about it.  He hasn't been given the credit he deserves for taking the fight. Hopefully he does the business.

Eubank Jnr sending out a few sour grapes tweets I see.  Taking absolute dog's abuse for it. I've said it before on here - he needs to get rid off the old man, his ego is just too big and he's an absolute rocket.  Why would you ever send him in to negotiate on your behalf ?

Agree bridgegael.

I'm still happy to see fights happening rather than no fights happening.  Hearn knows there is too much money to be made from doing business with Golovkin and will have presented it to Brook as a win win situation.

Think Brook is a great fighter but the gulf in weight will be surely too much.  Golovkin by KO in rounds 7 or 8 for me.