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Boxing

08th Apr 2016

Carl Frampton’s been stripped of his WBA super bantamweight belt

Title revoked

Ben Kiely

Guillermo Rigondeaux was right, Carl Frampton isn’t going to fight him.

The 35-year-old Cuban, who Irish fans will remember as the man who flattened “Big Bang” Willie Casey in the Citywest Hotel in 2011, predicted that the Northern Irishman wouldn’t agree to face him after beating Scott Quigg.

The 16-0 pugilist was the mandatory challenger for the WBA super bantamweight title, and after it was announced that Frampton would not be fighting him in his next bout, the World Boxing Association have revoked his belt.

“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.” said WBA Championships Chairman Gilberto Jesus Mendoza in a statement released last night.

Rigondeaux will now face interim WBA champion Moises Flores for the WBA title while it is thought that Frampton will move up and fight either IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby or WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz next. The Belfast native still holds the IBF super bantamweight title.

Update: Frampton gave his sarcastic take on the WBA’s decision, and Rigondeaux’ tweet, on Saturday afternoon: