Confirms Santa Cruz rematch
Frampton confirms his upcoming rematch with Santa Cruz.
Done deal! The rematch vs @leosantacruz2 is on!!! More news to come soon #AndStill
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) October 20, 2016
Venue, date, undercard announced
The WBA announces that Frampton will defend his WBA featherweight title for the first time against former holder Santa Cruz on January 28, 2017, in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Arena. Both the Barclays Centre in New York and the MGM had been placed on hold, with Vegas eventually winning out. The headline fight will be supported by a lightweight title fight between champion Dejan Zlaticanin and Mikey Garcia.
Jeez, if I wasn't busy that night I'd love to watch this bill https://t.co/H1rserWT5M
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) October 20, 2016
Santa Cruz beats Frampton on points
Frampton loses for the first time in his professional career as Santa Cruz beats him on points at the the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to regain the WBA featherweight title. One judge scored the fight a draw, but the other two favoured Santa Cruz 115-113. Frampton asks for a rematch in Belfast. Santa Cruz:
He is a great fighter and a great counter-puncher. It was tough to change my style. In my head I wanted to go for it, but I was told to box him and that’s what I did. I am a man of my word. Let’s go again.
Frampton:
Leo probably deserved it. It was my fault and I want to apologise to the travelling fans. I hope we can do it again – we need to do it again…My feet were a bit slow. I needed to let my hands go a bit more when I got close. We had a fantastic training camp, I felt completely prepared. I feel like I’ve let the people down.