Carl Frampton, the former professional boxer who has released a new autobiography, where he tackles the breakdown of the professional relationship between him and his former “hero”, ‘The Clones Cyclone’, Barry McGuigan, has insisted: “I don’t want people to think the book is only McGuigan-bashing, because it’s not.”

The book covers Mr. Frampton’s entire professional career rising through the ranks of amateur boxing in Belfast, through his career and details of his family life.

The professional breakdown ended with a lengthy court case which Frampton tackles in his book using court transcripts and “filling in the gaps” that media reporting at the time left out, he says.

Mr. Frampton sued his ex-manager and Cyclone Promotions for alleged withheld earnings.

This caused the breakdown, as it emerged that Mr. Frampton’s purse had been used by Cyclone Promotions for expenses outside of boxing.

“It was just it seemed at times they were enjoying life and enjoying life on my purse,” claimed Mr. Frampton.

Alleging one example, he said: “The biggest one was, I thought, 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.”

Exasperated, he said: “I literally paid for a lot of what went on in their holiday.”

Reflecting on this period and the faith he had in his coach, Mr. Frampton said: “It was hard when it broke down, to be honest, but I mean, it was probably a long time coming on.

“I was hoping that the things that people were saying about Barry were all wrong. I was hoping that it was wrong.

“I wanted this to get fixed. A court process was the last thing I wanted, but it just there was no other option.”

This was difficult for Mr. Frampton, who “looked up” to Mr. McGuigan, and says: “He was a hero of mine growing up.”

He was proud of his association with Cyclone Promotions, he says. “For a long period of time, it was an honour to be associated with them and work with them.”

Mr. Frampton does reflect on some positive times he spent with Mr. McGuigan and Cyclone Promotions.

He says: “I speak of good traits they have as coaches, Barry as a match maker, and I speak about the good times.”

However, the bad memories have “tarred everything that’s gone on”.

On the subject of forgiveness, when asked by this newspaper if he could forgive Mr. McGuigan for his actions, Mr. Frampton said: “Time will tell. To be honest, I doubt it.”

Barry McGuigan was contacted for comment by this newspaper, but did not comment.