Opponent has bigger reach
And he’ll need it to come out on top. Frampton is pegged as a slight underdog, and with good reason. Santa Cruz ( 320- 1, 18 KOs) routinely throws upward of 1,000 punches and will enjoy advantages in height ( 2 1⁄2 inches) and reach ( 5 inches).
Santa Cruz, 27, told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday that he noticed Frampton tires late in fights and that the plan is to pressure him early and often.
“I’ve dealt with fighting bigger guys throughout my whole career. I’m used to it,” said Frampton, who unified junior featherweight titles with a victory against Scott Quigg in February. “I’ve fought bigger guys than Santa Cruz. I think on fight night I’m going to be stronger.
“People forget that he started his career at bantamweight while I fought as a featherweight in the amateurs. On the night, I’ll be the bigger man and that will be the difference.”
Added motivation for Frampton? He says it’s a dream to claim the same WBA featherweight title his trainer/ manager, Hall of Fame fighter Barry McGuigan, once held.
McGuigan never fought in New York but is excited to be in the Empire State for a big bout in a different fashion.
“I’ve always known that Frampton would be a sensation over here,” McGuigan said. “We’ve always wanted to be here on the East Coast. We’ve worked very hard with the Irish community to get his name out there.”
And it’s a good bet Frampton is the crowd favorite on fight night. Santa Cruz, the Mexican native, is established in Southern California, where he resides, but has never fought in New York.
In fact, he had never stepped foot in the state until fight week. If Frampton is going to spring the upset, he’ll have to weather the storm early and prove he carried his power.
“The last time I was an underdog was 2009 during the Irish championships. I was a massive underdog, and everyone who knew me won a lot of money that night,” he said. “All the pressure is on Santa Cruz. Everyone is expecting him to win. I’m going to come in there and upset him. I’m here to put on a great performance and bring the belt back home.”
The bout is one of the best matchups on paper on the 2016 calendar, and if Frampton comes out on top in an expected action fight, he’ll be on his way to becoming the latest U. K. star to bring his following stateside.
Ricky Hatton, who trains junior middleweight contender Sergey Rabchenko ( set for action on the undercard), was the last U. K. fighter to truly cross over in America, bringing droves of fans from England singing his name.
Frampton will seek to become the next U. K. idol to jump to the next level.