‘World class’ Frampton has improved since Santa Cruz win suggests team Jackson

Carl Frampton is better now than he was on the day he announced himself as the best featherweight in the world with victory over Leo Santa Cruz claims Luke Jackson’s promoter Adam Wilcox.

Speaking to Irish-boxing.com post Jackson’s defeat to the former two weight world champ the promoter revealed the team were hopeful the Belfast fighter had slipped from the summit somewhat and was on his way down the mountain.

However, having talked to the Aussie after he was pulled out in the ninth round of the August 18 clash and having witnessed ‘The Jackal’ from a ring side vantage points Wilcox is adamant Frampton has improved as a fighter.

‘World class’ remains the best way to sum up a the fighter who looks certain to challenge Josh Warrington for the IBF featherweight world title later this year according to the promoter, who also heaped praise on Jamie Moore and co post Windsor.

“I said in a numner of interviews prior to the fight, Carl Frampton is world class both in and out of the ring. A big consideration for us in the lead up to the fight was how far down the mountain Carl had descended since the heights he reached of the first Leo Santa Cruz fight; it would seem that he’s not fallen at all,” said Wilcox.

“Carl looked faster and more composed than every before, a true testament to himself and his new training team. His footwork on the night I thought was pretty special.”

Wilcox revealed Jackson and coach Billy Hussien went into the bout with a number of game plans they felt could help them pull off the massive shock.

However, such was Frampton’s talent according to the Australian that ‘The Jackal’ was able to counter act them and proved ‘just too good’ on the night.

“Luke is a very smart boxer and recognised as being a boxer with a very high boxing IQ. Luke and Billy went into the fight with a couple of different game plans, but Carl’s ability to control the distance throughout was world-class and just too good. Whether Luke boxed off the front foot or tried to counterpunch, Carl remained controlled and composed throughout and just neutralised everything that Luke tried.”

The result may not have gone their way, but team Jackson can’t help and look back at a positive experience.

Like most who taste a Frampton fight night, indeed a Frampton fight week, Wilcox was left blown away by the fan participation and took time to praise the boxing man city and all those involved in the promotion.

“Aside form the result, the whole promotion was nothing short of sensational. The people of Belfast were amazing, so welcoming, supportive and friendly. In the week preceeding, before and after the fight, there was boxing fans everywhere. There were even fans after the fight waiting outside the hotel in the rain, hoping for a photo and autograph-which they got. The promotional team of Frank Warren were top class and made the whole experience so much easier from start to finish. The MTK team were there at every turn to help our team and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone over the whole lead in. As for the actual night, the atmosphere is something that nobody will ever forget, very very special.”

“Win, lose or draw, it was always going to be a very hard fight physically for Luke and it obviously proved that way. Luke is currently on a couple of weeks holiday with his girlfriend in Europe. I spoke to him and he’s still a little sore, but whilst still very disappointed, he’s in pretty good spirits. Luke will have a few weeks away, we’ll then meet to work out the next path forward.”