Selby next up for Frampton
CARL FRAMPTON is eyeing a British showdown with Lee Selby after writing himself into the history books.
Frampton delivered the performance of his life to beat Mexican WBA featherweight king Leo Santa Cruz on points and become the first Northern Irishman to be crowned a two-weight world champion.
It was a stunning display by Frampton, which sent the masses of Irish fans here wild. Now he wants to head back to the UK to take Selby’s IBF belt before fighting Santa Cruz for a second time. “There’s no rematch clause in place, but it would be a great fight and one I’d be happy to do,” he said. “I’d love to bring him to Belfast. We could sell out a stadium, but you’d need to do it at the right time of year because it’s not always very hot at home. “Lee Selby was here and is a great fighter. He’s someone I respect very much and I’ve been singing his praises
for a very, very long time. He’s one of the best UK fighters so that fight interests me.
“I just want to be part of big, memorable fights against top-class guys. Real fighters fight, and that’s what I want to do.
“I want to fight here in America but I want to fight at home too. I want to fight in Belfast at least once a year. I love New York, though. I love the experience of boxing here, but I’m a Belfast boy. I don’t want my fans having to spend so much money all the time.”
After watching Frampton’s victory, Selby said: “Watching that performance made me want to get in the ring with him. It would be a different fight but a good one.”
Manager Barry McGuigan was blown away by Frampton’s display and says he has the world at his feet. “Now he has options and he can become a star over here,” said McGuigan.
“To really make it in boxing you have to make it on this side of the pond. You can fight at home but to make a legacy and turn yourself into a Hall of Famer, you have to be in the US. That was the sort of performance no one will forget.
“The rematch with Santa Cruz would be amazing. I would love to have something at Windsor Park. Carl has always fancied playing at the home of the national football team.
“Selby in Manchester is something we could do. We can do anything after this. It was incredible.”
Frampton shocked American critics as WBA featherweight champion Santa Cruz was out-pointed. It was a display packed full of heart and class.
But the 29-year-old’s feet remain firmly on the ground, as he said: “I’m just a normal working-class guy who can fight a wee bit.”
Judges Tom Schreck (117-111) and Frank Lombardi (116-112) gave it to Frampton and even though Guido Cavalleri said it was a 114-114 draw, nothing could take the gloss off this win in the Ulsterman’s first featherweight fight after switching from super-bantamweight.
“This is going to be a fight that defines part of my career. I’ve just made history,” he said.
“The dream was always to become a world champion. Once you do that you start having new dreams. I reached my goal of becoming a world champion and then I wanted to become a two-weight world champion. It’s going up and up.”
Santa Cruz came in unbeaten in 33 fights and was a fearsome puncher, taller and rangier. Yet Frampton signalled his brutal intentions early on.
Halfway through Frampton was well ahead, but Santa Cruz came back strongly.
The Mexican threw a staggering 1,002 punches but connected with just 25 per cent, while Frampton landed 242 of 668. His best work came close in and his movement was too much for Santa Cruz.
McGuigan, who lost this title Stateside 30 years ago, cried as the result was announced. “I wanted this kid to win so badly, I wanted him to be in a fight which would be remembered,” he said.
“I wanted it to be a sensational fight, and it was amazing – fight of the year material.”
‘This fight will define my career’