Carl Frampton has boasted that his support’s “invasion” of Manchester has already started after comfortably making weight ahead of his unified world super-bantamweight title fight against Scott Quigg.
Meanwhile, it is believed that the row over who will occupy the 'star' dressing-room has been resolved and Quigg will prepare in the disputed room.
Both fighters clocked in under the 122lb limit in front of a large four-figure crowd at today’s weigh-in at the Manchester Arena where the bout will take place on Saturday night.
Frampton weighed in a 8st 9lbs 7oz, one ounce heavier than his rival, despite pre-fight speculation from his rival's camp that the Belfast native would struggle to make the weight for the much-anticipated Sky TV pay-per-view fight.
Frampton looked quite comfortable at the weigh-in, while Quigg appeared to be more gaunt than he had appeared at media events earlier in the week.
A 10lb check weight will take place on Saturday morning with neither fighter allowed to go above 132lb.
“That’s the easiest I’ve done the weight. I had to get everything done right this time, no messing about,” said Frampton after getting off the scales.
“I’m in the best shape of my life. These lads are losing their rag over the changing room still,” added the Belfast native, referencing the row that started at Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference over who would prepare for the fight in the ‘star’ dressing-room at the Manchester Arena.
Team Frampton claimed that the issue could jeopardise the fight but they appeared to be using the issue to wind up Quigg, who they claim is superstitious about occupying the ‘home’ dressing-room.
Frampton had demanded that he should be entitled to the larger dressing-room as the ‘star attraction’ since he has the status of champion for the fight.
While both hold world titles, Frampton (the IBF belt holder) has the privileges of champion as he is first on the promotional billing and will walk to the ring second on Saturday night after Quigg (the WBA titlist).
Quigg’s trainer Joe Gallagher, who has continually been involved in a war of words with Team Frampton, is believed to be keen on having the ‘home’ dressing-room as his stable of fighters regularly prepare there ahead of fights at the venue.
Frampton, the bookies’ favourite for the fight, had suggested that the rivals either flip a coin over the issue or leave the disputed dressing-room vacant , but his team have also boasted that they’ve already accomplished their mission to upset Quigg ahead of the bout as the pre-fight mind games continue.
It is believed that Team Frampton backed down over the issue on Friday night, content that they had gained an advantage in the pre-fight mind games.
Frampton's manager Barry McGuigan claimed at Friday's weigh-in that, in truth, his fighter's team 'couldn't give a toss' over who occupies the disputed room and that the issue was only raised to spook the 'superstitious' Quigg.
A vocal support cheered loudly for Frampton and although Quigg also had significant number of fans at the weigh-in, the Belfast man had the majority of the crowd behind him.
A large travelling Irish support is expected to be well into four figures on fight night at the 20,000-capacity arena, which is expected to be sold out as promoter Eddie Hearn claimed that only a few hundred tickets are still available for purchase.
“It was unbelievable, but that’s only a part of them, there’s going to be a lot more arriving tonight and Saturday morning,” said Frampton of his support at the weigh-in. “The invasion’s started and Quigg’s going to be in for a shock,” added the IBF champion.
Pittsburgh referee Ernie Sharif will be the man in the middle for the contest, while two of the three ringside judges are also American with one English official (Dave Parris of Leeds).
Team Frampton did not want a majority of English officials as they were keen to avoid any chance of bias towards Bury native Quigg.
