Promoter Eddie Hearn says that a lot of the hurdles preventing a Carl Frampton-Scott Quigg unification fight have been passed.
He hopes that the super bantamweight title bout will take place in early 2016 – but doesn’t think that it will be in Frampton’s hometown Belfast.
“I think there’s a desire from both camps to make it happen and it’s been a long time in the works,” said Hearn, speaking on RTÉ 2FM’s Game On on Thursday.
“I think the fans end up getting bored and we need to give them what they want.
“We had a positive meeting this week – there’s still a long way to go, but a lot of hurdles were crossed. I really fancy this will be next for both guys.”
IBF champion Frampton and WBA title holder Quigg have been in dispute for months about where and when the fight would take place.
There has also been disagreement over how the purse should be split.
Hearn says that the two camps, with Frampton managed by Irish former world champion Barry McGuigan, are getting closer to agreement following recent talks.
He doesn’t expect the fight will take place in Belfast, though he hinted that a possible rematch could be held in the North during the summer.
“The Odyssey is the biggest arena in Belfast and it only holds 9,000. If was in the summer, it would be no problem doing it outdoors in Belfast,” he said.
“But we’re looking at January or February so we are looking for a venue big enough to hold it.
“Originally Carl said he’d take a 60-40 split to fight in Manchester, but now he wants it in a neutral venue.
“That’s fine if that’s the case and we’ll try and find that," said Hearn.
“Ultimately it’s who gets what in terms of the finance and numbers and everyone is going to have to give a little to make sure it gets done.
“It’s like any deal – you want to walk away feeling like you’ve done okay.
“There are a lot of egos involved; there’s me, there’s Scott, there’s Carl, there’s Barry McGuigan and Shane McGuigan.
“Everyone has their own opinion and the fighters ultimately have their own perception of their value in the fight.
“They don’t really like each other – it’s not a bitter rivalry, but they both have ideas of what they deserve and what they don’t deserve. The main thing is getting the deal right.”
