Frampton thanks fans for “incredible” support and plans another huge afterparty

Carl Frampton is “grateful” for his huge travelling support and plans to put on both a thrilling performance and an electric afterparty to thank them.

On Saturday night Frampton defends his WBA featherweight title in a rematch against Leo Santa Cruz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and ‘The Jackal’ is then planning an afternoon of celebrations at the Fine Nine Irishmen bar on the Las Vegas Boulevard on the Sunday afternoon.

After his win over Santa Cruz at the Barclays Centre in July, Frampton mingled with his following at Annie Moore’s bar in Manhattan.

Approximately 1,500 members of ‘The Jackal Army’ made the trip across the Atlantic for the first fight last Summer in New York. This time round, 5,000 are believed to be undertaking the even longer journey to Vegas.

Indeed a vocal number have already arrived in Sin City and were in attendance at the MGM Grand yesterday for the public workouts and Frampton described how “I’m just grateful for all the support.”

“I’ve a few things I use as motivation. My family is one of them but the travelling support and the people back home, this is incredible. I promise I’m going to put everything I have into ensuring that we all go home happy.”

“I’m expecting a good fight, a tough fight, and one that’s very exciting for the fans ”

It’s a long way from the Ulster Hall for the Belfast man, and Frampton admits that he enjoys fighting on the big stage and is proud to see his fan base continue to expand.

The 29 year old outlined how “I love being on the big stage. We’ve spoken about it before, if I’m sparring behind closed doors and no one is watching, sometimes I’m not so good but if five or six people come into the gym, I turn it on, so what’s it going to be like when the travelling support hits Vegas?”

“There’s a good support already, we’re expecting plenty more. It’s going to be an unreal atmosphere, almost reminiscent of – I’m not sure if anyone will ever do what Ricky Hatton done, but if I keep doing what I’m doing, who knows?”

“I’ve got huge support and I’m picking up fans in the States. If I keep doing what I’m doing, and keep putting in the performances against big fighters, the fan base is only going to get bigger.”

–

Eric Donovan joins Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill on Episode 2 of the Irish Boxing Show: