Frampton: I'll Make it Two-Nil, Santa Cruz Only Fights One Way!

By Edward Chaykovsky

As reported on Thursday, a deal has been finalized for the rematch between WBA featherweight champion Carl Frampton and challenger Leo Santa Cruz. The fight is heading to January 28th, likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Back in July, Frampton (23-0, 14KOs) won a twelve round decision over Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18KOs) to capture the WBA title at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

There was a rematch clause and both fighters were immediately on board with a second fight.

With the victory, Frampton also made history by becoming the first Northern Ireland boxer to win world titles at two different weight divisions. He walked away from the IBF/WBA super bantamweight titles for the fight with Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz felt he was robbed by the judges. Frampton, confident that he rightfully won the first contest, plans to set the record straight in the rematch. He believes Santa Cruz is not capable of making adjustments and only fights in one style.

“It’s great that the fight is now done, I don’t think there were many who doubted the result but Leo has said he thought he won so it’s my chance to go there and make it two-nil,” said Frampton to the Belfast Telegraph.

“It’s going to be another great fight for the fans... hopefully I can get the job done and then we can seriously look at a defence at Windsor Park. Leo obviously fancies he can get revenge but, like a lot of my opponents, he only knows how to fight the one way. I have Plan A, Plan B and C if I need it and when I face someone a second time I always perform better. I know what to expect from him... it’s the same when I spar and it’ll be the same in this fight, second time around I am more comfortable with whoever I’m facing.

“Some have said that Santa Cruz could maybe throw more punches but he threw 1,100 so I can’t imagine he can throw more than that. I want to be in big fights all the time now and this is going to be another huge fight."