CARL Frampton confessed that he split with Barry McGuigan’s Cyclone Promotions to get the “big fights” he wants.
Frampton (30) announced that he had parted company with manager Barry and coach Shane late last month and is now mulling over offers from other promoters including Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn.
“It has been difficult,” he said of the breakdown with his long-term handlers.
“I had a great relationship with all the McGuigans.
“Barry has been a great friend and mentor to me, Shane McGuigan as well – I was at their weddings, they were at my wedding.
“But I just felt it was time for me to develop my career. I had great times with them and I did a lot of good things with them, we had some amazing nights that I’ll never forget.
“But I took a decision that for me to develop my career and get the big fights that I want, I had to move on. I want to do my own thing and that’s it, to take my career to the next level I want to move on.”
[ Carl Frampton unveils his new trainer after split with McGuiganOpens in new window ]
And modest Frampton doesn’t see himself as Ireland’s most talented fighter. He gives that accolade to LA-based west Belfast bantamweight Michael Conlan.
“Mick Conlan is a world class fighter,” said Frampton, only the second two-weight world champion Ireland has produced.
“He’s very, very skilful – a more skilful fighter than I will ever be, or ever was. He has a brilliant skillset and he is with a brilliant team in Top Rank.
“Potentially he could be one of Ireland’s greatest ever professional fighters but he still has to prove that. I think he could be, but he has to do it.”
