Headline News

Frampton blames Team Santa Cruz for lack of Leo fight


Carl Frampton has admitted he thinks the people around Leo Santa Cruz rather than the fighter himself are preventing the rubber match.

‘The Jackal’ recently questioned the current WBA featherweight world champions courage claiming the Mexican-American hadn’t the balls to come to Belfast.

However, when speaking to the BBC recently the two-weight world champion pointed the blame at those around a fighter he has a score to settle with.

Santa Cruz’s father and trainer, José, is unflinching in his refusal to come to Belfast and face Frampton – while common advisor Al Haymon seems content to allow ‘El Terremoto’ to focus on money-spinning fights with other Latinos on the U.S. West Coast.

Frampton, who will return to the ring to fight Nonito Donaire at the SSE Odyssey Arena, Belfast on April 21st in what will be his second fight since he lost his WBA title to Leo Santa Cruz in January 2017, wants a third installment.

However, Santa Cruz, after promising a third fight in Belfast, instead fought Chris Avalos back in October and will now rematch Abner Mares on June 9th – pushing a Frampton rubber match back further.

“It seems to be that I’m the only one that’s talking about that [a third fight],” said a frustrated Frampton.

“My support and the wider boxing audience want the fight to happen but he’s kind of gone mute on the subject and it’s a bit disappointing.”

“It’s one each, I’ve fought him twice in the States and he promised me that he would come to the UK or Ireland for the third fight and that obviously was a load of nonsense.”

Analysing the lack of talk from the Santa Cruz camp, Frampton described how “I want to settle the score and prove that I can beat this guy for a second time and win this trilogy but he’s gone a bit quiet.”

“To be honest, I don’t think it’s Leo, he’s a brave guy and I think he would fight anyone in the world, but the people around him obviously have other opinions.”

dpg

irishboxing

Integral part of the Irish boxing community for over 13 years

x