Frampton: I’ll show people why I’ve chased Santa Cruz for 2 years

While the build-up has not been as long or as fraught as the Scott Quigg clash, indeed few fights are, Carl Frampton is looking forward to finally getting in the ring with Leo Santa Cruz on July 30th.

The Belfast man has been chasing a bout with the Mexican-American star for over two years. ‘The Jackal’ thought he was closing in on a clash with the then-WBC super bantam champ in April 2014 when he defeated Hugo Cazares via second round knockout in a final eliminator at the Odyssey Arena.

After that bout Frampton excitedly declared that “I want that fight now.”

“I’m mandatory for Leo Santa Cruz now.” “He’s a great fighter and someone that I admire but I want that fight now.”

However, El Terremoto fought both Manuel Roman and Jesus Ruiz instead before stepping up in weight.

On RTÉ’s Late Late Show Barry McGuigan would theorise that Santa Cruz no longer wanted to fight Frampton following the Tigers Bay boxer’s destruction of his fellow Mexican Cazares.

Speaking to Tha Boxing Voice from his training camp in Westchester, New York, Frampton explained that “I’ve been after this fight for quite a while, probably two years now.

“I fought a final eliminator [v Hugo Cazares] to fight Santa Cruz at 122lb and he moved up”

“It’s been a long time coming but I’m gonna show people why I’ve been after this fight.”

While not underestimating the challenge posed by the WBA featherweight champion, Frampton is confident of victory on the Showtime-aired bout at the Barclays Centre, stating that “I believe I can win it, I believe it’s gonna be a tough fight”

“But if I put in my best performance I’m going to win the fight.”

“You’re going to see the best of me on July 30th.”

Watch Frampton’s full interview with ThaBoxingVoice below: