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Frampton wants yearly Belfast appearance

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Carl Frampton has promised to stay true to his roots and wants to bring big time boxing back to Belfast at least once a year.

After defeating previously undefeated three-weight champion Leo Santa Cruz live on Showtime in New York in the early hours of Sunday morning, ‘The Jackal’ has become a bonafide star of World boxing.

Some have been suggesting that his fight with Santa Cruz, along with Thurman v Porter, has gone as far as reawakening interest in one of the Big Apple’s first sporting loves – and fight fans are already demanding ‘The Jackal’s’ return.

Big names in the most competitive and interesting small man division are all interested in sharing the ring with the fighter who now looks set for pound for pound status. and American television networks are more than interested in broadcasting bouts with the likes of Lee Selby and Patrick Hyland defeater Gary Russell Jr.

American notoriety has been well and truly secured, and big dollar offers will soon be put on the table.

However, possibly Ireland’s greatest ever fighter wants to ensure he gives back to the fans who helped get him where he is today. The two-weight World champion – Ireland’s second after Steve Collins – says while he would welcome East Coast hosted clashes, he wants to fight in Belfast at least once a year.

“I’m just a normal, working-class guy who can fight a wee bit. That’s it,” he said.

“I want to fight here [in the US] and I want to fight at home. I’m a Belfast boy and I love my fans back home.”

“I don’t want for them to have to spend so much money to come here and see me all the time. I would like to fight in Belfast at least once a year.”

Russell Jr, Selby and indeed a Santa Cruz return are all big name options for the 29 year old and Frampton would welcome a second clash with the Mexican in Belfast.

“I don’t think there’s a rematch clause in place, but it would be a great fight, one I’d be happy to do,” he continued.

“I’d love to bring him over to Belfast. We could sell out a stadium, but we’d need the right time of year.”

“Lee Selby is a great fighter, someone I respect and one of the best UK fighters. That’s a fight that interests me, there’s Gary Russell, all these guys.”

“I just want to be involved in big fights, memorable fights. I don’t need to be disrespectful to guys, I just want to get on with it.”

Reflecting on what will go down as a historic win Frampton said he could have made victory that bit easier if he listened to Shane McGuigan more.

“I don’t know if it’s sunk in yet. That’s going to be a fight that defines part of my career,” he said.

“I’ve just made history. I’ve beaten an unbelievable fighter in Leo Santa Cruz – a three-weight world champion – and it was the toughest fight of my career.”

“I made it a bit harder than I needed to at times. I fought with my heart rather than my head at times but I wanted to be involved in one of those fights and I think people will remember that for a very long time.”

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Integral part of the Irish boxing community for over 13 years

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