Carl Frampton's heartbreaking health admission, net worth, Barry McGuigan feud

Wales Online

10-05-2025

Carl Frampton's heartbreaking health admission, net worth, Barry McGuigan feud
Carl Frampton has enjoyed a stellar career in boxing, becoming the first Northern Irishman to have held world titles in multiple weight classes, but is concerned for his long-term health
Carl Frampton has revealed concerns about his health
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Carl Frampton has revealed his concerns about potentially developing dementia or "some sort of brain injury" as a result of his time in the ring.
The now-retired boxer made a name for himself across two weight divisions – super bantamweight and featherweight – claiming world titles in both categories. Notably, he was the first from Northern Ireland to hold world championships in different weight classes.
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These titles earned Frampton Fighter of the Year awards from The Ring magazine, ESPN, and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Frampton held prestigious titles such as the WBA (super) super bantamweight belt in 2016, the IBF super bantamweight title from 2014 to 2016, and the WBA (Super) featherweight title between 2016 and 2017.
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Following his retirement in 2021, Frampton appeared on The Nolan Show in February 2025 to share his worries about the future of his neurological health due to his intense boxing career.
This report delves into some of the significant highlights of Frampton's life in the sport, including his estimated net worth, the well-documented feud with Barry McGuigan, and his concerns over potential brain disease.
What is Carl Frampton's net worth?
Carl Frampton is reportedly worth over £1million - despite retiring four years ago
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In 2021, The Net Worth Portal reported Frampton's net worth at approximately £1.3million, and stated that he could have made as much as £1.13 million per fight during his prime years.
Having not fought since his retirement four years ago, it remains uncertain if his net worth, which was last calculated in 2021, has changed. Despite this, Frampton did make millions throughout his career, thanks to some lavish fight purses.
The Sun reported that the Northern Irishman earned approximately £902,000 for the rematch against Leo Santa Cruz, and £1.8million from his bout with Josh Warrington.
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In 2019, the retired boxer revealed the truth behind fight purses; stating that they were distributed among several parties including management, trainers, and the fighters themselves.
This means that, even if he emerged victorious in the fight, Frampton was unlikely to win the entire purse to keep for himself.
Carl Frampton has earned millions throughout his career
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During an appearance on the Joe TKO podcast, the ex-world champion said: "Your outlay depends on where you are at. For me to be fighting in big title fights, your trainer gets 10%. Your manager normally gets 25%. That is the amount in most circumstances.
"Then you have to pay sparring partners. Sometimes you can get sparring partners who are looking to get [ready] for other fights, who you don't have to pay. You have to pay for your food. You have to eat clean, which is sometimes expensive.
"Then there's your digs, if you are travelling away from home. And travel expenses, and getting to and from training.
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"Sometimes what sound like a good purse at the time – someone might say to you that they'll give you £20,000 – by the time you break it down and you're paying taxes on it, it is not a lot of dough."
Barry McGuigan feud - 'Pretty deep disappointment'
Frampton once worked under his "hero" Barry McGuigan, with the former professional boxer promoting him throughout his early career. Their partnership began in 2009, and it was during this time that Frampton won his world titles while fighting for Cyclone Promotions and being coached by McGuigan's son, Shane.
The relationship soured in 2017 following the cancellation of Frampton's fight with Andres Gutierrez. Frampton parted ways with his promoter to join rival firm MTK Global, managed by Daniel Kinahan, a man suspected by British authorities of operating a significant criminal enterprise.
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Although Frampton was never implicated in any criminal activities associated with Kinahan's operations, his switch in allegiance resulted in a legal battle with his former associates.
Carl Frampton ended up in a legal battle with Barry McGuigan
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Frampton initiated legal action against Cyclone Promotions, seeking £6m for alleged unpaid earnings from fights across Northern Ireland, England, and the USA.
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In response, McGuigan filed a counterclaim, claiming that Frampton had breached his contract by leaving Cyclone Promotions.
Both sides maintained their innocence, and what unfolded was a multi-million pound lawsuit that, to many people's surprise, concluded with an out-of-court settlement in November 2020 – the terms of which remain confidential.
The Daily Mail has previously reported Frampton's accusations of McGuigan profiting extravagantly from his success in the ring. He said: "It just seemed at times they were enjoying life on my purse.
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"The biggest one was in 2016 after a fight. My family and I had a bit of a holiday, and the McGuigans did too. The expenses were coming out of the purse after the fight was over.
"I literally paid for a lot of what went on in their holiday. It was hard when it broke down, to be honest, but I mean, it was probably a long time coming.
Barry McGuigan managed and promoted Frampton for years
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"I was hoping that the things that people were saying about Barry were all wrong. He was a hero of mine growing up. I wanted this to get fixed. A court process was the last thing I wanted, but there was no other option."
After their court case was resolved, McGuigan expressed his sadness about the rift that had developed with the fighter, whom he previously considered "part of the family."
The former boxer said: "Just a disappointment. Pretty deep disappointment. I took him into my home, made him part of my family. I didn't take a penny off him for over two years [until] he won the Commonwealth title.
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"It's been very disappointing he chose to go off and be with Daniel Kinahan. That's just how it is. He [Frampton] knows well himself that without me or my family and our efforts, he wouldn't have achieved anything.
"I don't want to get into a slagging match with him. I'm past all that nonsense. Shane will end up in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, just like me. It sounds very bumptious but I'm not in the International Boxing Hall of Fame for no reason.
"I was really good at what I did. We are very good people. We're very decent people."
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Frampton subsequently signed with promoter Frank Warren before retiring in 2021 and releasing an autobiography titled 'Carl Frampton: My Autobiography'.
Carl Frampton no longer speaks to Barry McGuigan
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In this 2023 publication, the 38-year-old delved into the legal dispute with McGuigan and confessed how his perception of the ex-boxer drastically shifted during his tenure with Cyclone Promotions.
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In his book, Frampton wrote: "It was bliss at the start and there was genuine love and friendship. Barry went as far as calling me the fourth son at times. He was a man that I looked up to so much.
"I understand that Barry is a hero to many people. He was a hero to me. But if you read this book, and still think he is a hero, you need to give your head a wobble. It was pretty sour in the end. It was a shame but this is what happens in boxing. I think the relationship's dead, it will always be dead.
"But for a while, I had a lot of bitterness about them and thought about them a lot and I had a lot of anger, but I don't have that anymore. I kind of pity them now. I've calmed down and have more important things to worry about now.
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"Obviously I can't say a lot, but I can say I'm extremely happy with the settlement."
Health admission - 'One of the lucky ones'
Carl Frampton is worried about his neurological health
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Frampton has revealed that he is deeply concerned about the potential consequences of his boxing career on his brain health. During his February appearance on The Nolan Show, the two-weight world champion confessed to having suppressed the risks associated with fighting during his active years, only to confront them in retirement.
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Frampton said: "I wouldn't say I worry about it but I have been to see some specialists just to have my brain checked out and make sure it's working as it should be and that there's no deterioration with it.
"I go back for a check-up on a yearly basis to make sure I'm still OK and touch wood I am at this stage. Given the longevity of my career I'm expecting at some point to have dementia or some sort of brain injury, but I'm just hoping it's when I'm 75-years-old and not 50.
"If you look at what's going on in the sport and the amount of former boxers this happens to, but I'm OK with it I'm not worried. Obviously I hope I don't get it. I wouldn't want to be a burden on anyone or anything like that.
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Frampton has been hit many times in his career
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"It's part of the game and that's a horrible thing to say as it sounds flippant, but if you're in professional boxing, and I'm going to separate it from amateur boxing as I think that amateur boxing is actually quite a safe sport as referees jump in quicker, fights are stopped when kids are getting hurt and they use bigger gloves.
"The professional side of the game can be very brutal though. As a fighter you probably just put it to the back of your mind. You know that there's a risk and if you actually sat there and thought about it you know you're in a dangerous sport.
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"For me though it was something I never really thought about. I was boxing to better the life of my family. I obviously wanted to win titles but for me it was about security especially as my career developed.
"I'm one of the lucky ones who has a secure life for the time being and the kids are in a good position, but it's few and far between so I would class myself one of the very lucky ones. I did have fights where I fought the wrong fight and maybe took too many punches, or punches that I didn't have to take.
"Sometimes that's down to trying to impress the crowd, but you put the risks to the back of your mind. Looking back I probably sparred too much. I sparred guys that were too big for me as well, and at the time I got a bit of a macho feel out of that. With hindsight I probably wouldn't have sparred as much, it's just trauma on your head and brain that you don't need."
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Frampton also discussed improving safety practices in boxing, touching on aspects such as weight preparation prior to bouts and overall nutrition for athletes.
He added: "In general I think nutrition needs to be looked at as I think that's where a lot of these serious injuries are stemming from. More can be done especially with the weigh-ins a day and a half before a fight meaning fighters are going into fights dehydrated.
"People are talking about head guards and stuff, but I don't think that makes it safer as there has been research done showing head guards only really stop cuts from happening, not trauma to the head or brain."