Tuesday 16 February 2016 20:23, UK
Trainer Shane McGuigan believes counterpart and rival Joe Gallagher has short-changed the achievements of his father Barry McGuigan in the lead-up to Carl Frampton v Scott Quigg.
Gallagher, who is preparing WBA world super-bantamweight champion Quigg for his unification clash with IBF holder Frampton, launched a verbal broadside at up-and-coming trainer McGuigan on Monday and the war of words is snowballing.
McGuigan told Sky Sports: "I respect Scott as a fighter and so does dad. Whether we respect Joe Gallagher and Eddie Hearn is questionable.
"It's probably likewise for them but when you've got a guy like dad, who's been in the game and established himself and brought fans into boxing, to have them continuously try and down-play him is insulting.
"There is a lot of animosity. Carl has his history with Matchroom too. There's definitely a lot of behind-the-scenes begrudgery but it's a business at the end of the day and we won't let that affect us on the night."
There's definitely a lot of behind-the-scenes begrudgery but it's a business at the end of the day and we won't let that effect us on the night.
Frampton (21-0-KO14) delved further into the history between Gallagher and McGuigan Sr, who he is hoping to emulate as a boxing hero of Northern Ireland.
The 28-year-old said: "I think it's a bit disrespectful considering Joe Gallagher is someone who years ago would phone Barry McGuigan for advice on how to coach. Barry was happy to give it to him. Considering that, he was a little bit disrespectful."
Barry McGuigan won the WBA world featherweight title in June 1985 when he outpointed Eusebio Pedroza at Loftus Road and made two defences before losing the title to Steve Cruz in Las Vegas almost exactly a year later.
Frampton and Quigg clash at the Manchester Arena on February 27, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
