Carl Frampton's Camp Were Absolutely Furious At His Exclusion From SPOTY Shortlist

Carl Frampton's camp aren't best pleased that the Belfast boxer was snubbed for the 'BBC Sports Personality of the Year' award  in a year when he became the first fighter from Northern Ireland to unify world titles at two different weights.

Frampton won his much-anticipated bout with Scott Quigg in Manchester in February at super bantamweight (IBF) before he won the featherweight title in July against Leo Santa Cruz (WBA) in a fight at the Barclay Centre in New York that can only be described as complete and utter war.

Frampton has drawn in many fans across the globe because of the exciting nature of his fights and so it is perhaps understandable that there was surprise among some boxing fans that the BBC didn't see fit to include the Tigers Bay scrapper in their shortlist.

There's always contention and debate when the shortlist for the award comes out, but this time it was the fighter's team that first expressed disgust at Frampton's exclusion.

DISGRACE that @RealCFrampton is not nominated for @BBCSPOTY! In 2016 Frampton became Unified & 2 weight World Champ & UK boxer of the year

— Team Jackal Official (@Team_Jackal) November 28, 2016

We have to say we're inclined to agree. Frampton's two victories against Quigg and Santa Cruz were against two genuinely world class opponents, fighters who in some circles would have been expected to defeat him.

And, as one fan pointed out, Frampton actually has a bit of personality, though that aspect of the award seems to have been overlooked judging by some of the nominees.

@BBCSPOTY @BBCTheOneShow Carl Frampton?

2 fights
2 unbeaten world champion opponents
2 wins
3 world titles
2 weights
1 FoTY

— SW Boxing (@sw_boxing) November 28, 2016

Shouldn't double World Champions @CarlFrampton or @jonathanrea be on #spoty list. @GabbyLogan

— Colin Dean (@Colin899Dean) November 28, 2016

@BBCSport no Carl Frampton despite unifying one division and winning a world title in another?! What a joke! #TheJackal

— Andy Barrett (@LordOfCarrots) November 28, 2016

Where is Carl Frampton and Chris Froome ? Vardy and Willet LOL #bbcspoty

— CHARLES BUGG (@buggcharlie) November 28, 2016

Disgusting that carl frampton is not up for #SPOTY if any boxer deserves to be nominated this year its him. #TheJackal #Number1

— Kyle White (@KylewhiteNew) November 28, 2016

Tour de France winner Chris Froome was also excluded.

Strange.

SEE ALSO: Eddie Hearn Reveals When We'll Realistically See Katie Taylor Fight In Ireland