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What do I have to do? Frampton asks Santa Cruz how a rubber match can be made

Carl Frampton  [26(15)-1] has called for Leo Santa Cruz [35(19)-1(0)-1] to confirm he is rubber match keen.

‘The Jackal’ has been calling for a third installment ever since the Mexican leveled proceedings in Las Vegas in January of 2017 and argues the three-weight world champion has been too quiet on the repeat front.

Frampton, who challenges IBF featherweight champ Josh Warrington in Manchester on December 22nd, wanted the third installment in Belfast – and that seemed to prove a stumbling block despite the fact three-weight world champion, Santa Cruz had previously promised to travel.

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So keen is the Belfast fighter to avenge the only defeat of his career that he claims he is willing to do what it takes to make it happen.

“I hope Leo starts to become as keen as I am about making the trilogy and finally settling the score. It seems like I’m the one who’s talking about it more than Leo,” said Frampton, who will also target WBO champion Oscar Valdez if he defeats Josh Warrington next month.

“For the fight with Santa Cruz to take place, I don’t know what has to happen.  I’m saying that I’m willing to fight him, and I’m saying that I’m willing to come back to the United States to fight him. That fight can be made whenever he wants it, and that’s the truth.”

Frampton also confirmed he has given up hope of ever getting the PBC fighter, a former Al Haymon stablemate of his, to Belfast.

“I’ve got it out of my head that Santa Cruz is going to come to the UK. I just don’t believe that he will. So I’ve kind of forgotten about that, but I’m willing to travel,” he continued before stressing he is confident the fight will be made if he reclaims world title status.

“It’ll happen, but I think I’ve got to win another world title before the end of the year and then go into 2019 with the title. Maybe that will force is hand a little bit and almost make it impossible for him to ignore me.”

In fairness to Santa Cruz he has name dropped Frampton since his February 16th underwhelming WBA featherweight title defence against Miguel Flores was confirmed, but did put more emphasis on a unification with fellow PBC fighter and WBC world champion Gary Russell Jr [29(17)-1]. 

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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