Frampton: Conlan and I will never fight

Carl Frampton says he’ll never, ever fight Michael Conlan.

Both fighters apparently get asked about it all the time, and Carl Frampton has taken his stand: he says he’ll never fight fellow Belfast native Michael Conlan.

“Why certain parts of the media keep bringing it up is beyond me because it is quite obvious Mick and I are at two completely different stages of our careers, and secondly we’re mates, so when you put those two things together it just makes the whole suggestion absurd. Quite simply, once and for all, Mick and I will never fight and I hope this puts an end to all the silly talk and questions.”

Frampton (25-1, 14 KO) is coming off of a win over Nonito Donaire on April 21, and is set to return to action at Belfast’s Windsor Park on August 18, when he takes on Luke Jackson, with Tyson Fury set for the card, as well.

Conlan (8-0, 5 KO) last fought on June 30, returning home to beat Adeilson dos Santos on points. It was just his second pro fight outside of the U.S., where Top Rank are hoping to make him an attraction.

In theory, the 26-year-old Conlan and 31-year-old Frampton could make sense as a crossroads fight in a couple of years, but it sounds like when you add in their friendship, Frampton is just not interested at all. But I’d never say never — money could talk down the line.