Frampton v Santa Cruz: The Fight

Proudly representing Belfast, Northern Ireland... Undefeated in

his campaign with a record of 122 wins, no losses, 14 wins through

knockout. The undefeated Irish superstar and former unified ?122

champion of the world, known as The Jackal, introducing Carl Frampton!

Carl Frampton was seven when he first came to the Midland boxing

club in Tigers Bay and like all young fighters he dreamt about

becoming the world champion by very few ever make it to the top. That is

exactly what he did. Two decades later, he secured the IBF Super

Bantamweight title after an unforgettable victory over Kiko

Martinez. He then unified the division, defeating Scott Quigg to

hold the WBA belt. But he had his eyes on even bigger prizes. A world

title was enough when I signed on the dotted line and turned

professional but as you reach the goal, you make new goals and I now

want to make history. In order to do that, he had to take a risk and move

up to featherweight, where he would face another undefeated fighter, the

Mexican star, Leo Santa Cruz. It is the biggest fight of my life. It is

going to be one of the biggest of my career, this could be the one that

defines me. The one that will make me the world champion, the only

northern or man to do that. The showdown took place at the Barclays

Center in New York and the boxing fraternity have dubbed this the

fight of the year. Guiding us through the contest, Harry Jones and

John blog. The time has come for the bout

you've all been waiting for. The WBA featherweight

championship of the It's time for Santa

Cruz versus Frampton! And now, he is a former world

champion and undefeated number two contender - Carl

"The Jackal" Frampton! A penny for the thoughts of Carl

Frampton as he makes his way to the ring, is this going to be the moment

for The Jackal? Or is El Terremoto, the earthquake, going to prove

himself superior? It has the makings of an absolutely outstanding fight,

this one. It does, Frampton has been asking for this since 2014, he gets

his wish and this is a very uphill struggle. He has looked sensational.

He is good enough to beat Leo Santa Cruz, but this will be hard. By far

the biggest fight of his career. He has the undefeated WBA featherweight

champion of the world. El Terremoto, Leo Santa Cruz! There have not been

many times when Leo Santa Cruz has received what could be called a

mixed reception but actually, it sounds pretty hostile! He is used to

being the favourite. But not on this occasion, he won the title against

Abner Mares. The same night as Carl Frampton defeated Scott Quigg. He

was the Super Bantamweight, and Kiko Martinez was also and you really

have two Super Bantamweights boxing at featherweight. Santa Cruz has

such a big frame, you would imagine he has moved up comfortably. Not a

spare seat in this place, an electric atmosphere. And exuded

confidence in the run-up to this. The statistics... Santa Cruz, he is

taller with the rich advantage. The knockout percentage is absolutely

identical. As always, unified rules. We just wait for the formal

introductions of both fighters for what is eagerly awaited and could

turn out to be one of the fights of the year. Introducing first, the

challenger on my left, fighting from the red corner, entering the ring

wearing light blue trunks, fighting and proudly representing Belfast,

Northern Ireland... He weighed in at 125 and a quarter, undefeated in his

campaign with a record of 22 wins, no losses, 14 wins coming by way of

knockout. Ladies and gentlemen, please well, the undefeated Irish

superstar and former unified 122 pound champion of the world, known

as The Jackal, introducing Carl Frampton!

APPLAUSE Bell RINGS

And his opponent, on my right, fighting from the blue corner,

wearing white trunks with blue -- gold trim, from Los Angeles,

California, weighing in at 125.5 pounds and undefeated in Spain has

-- in his campaign. One draw with 18 wins coming by way

of knockout. Tonight, making the second defence of his current title,

he is the three weight division world champion and the current

undefeated and reigning WBA featherweight champion of the world.

Introducing El Terremoto, Leo Santa Cruz!

APPLAUSE Protect yourself at all times. Touch

gloves, good luck to you. This could be special. The boxing

world awaits. Is Frampton about to pick up the biggest win of his

career or will Santa Cruz, whose father, Jose, is in the corner with

him, is he going to be able to maintain his undefeated record? If

Santa Cruz gets into a role and can throw an anticipated avalanche of

punches, then it might be that he can overwhelm Frampton but if

Frampton can use the intelligence and ring generalship, which we know

he is capable of producing, it could be a night of frustration for Leo

Santa Cruz. He has to hurt Leo Santa Cruz early, so that Santa Cruz does

not want to come forward as much as he would like. The Irish fans making

their presence overwhelmingly heard. Who will seize the initiative in the

opening round? Frampton has to find a way past that outstanding jab and

that is good work from Frampton, the body shot followed by a very sharp

left hand, his jab is underrated, although the smaller man, he has

accuracy and power in that punch. He slides that in quite fast and wide,

and he is staying nice and low, that jab is on an uphill trajectory.

Santa Cruz must be aware that in the big fight that Carl Frampton has, he

had against Scott Quigg, it was his inactivity in the early rounds that

allowed Frampton to ultimately win very convincingly. Frampton, ready

to stand his ground and deliver powerful shots in this opening

round. Nice little right hand, good footwork. You cannot go back in

straight lines, you must move to the side.

When Santa Cruz throws at double jab, you must not get close. Nice

and long, like that, but this is more committed from Santa Cruz.

Frampton sits on his back foot, you know he is trying to set you up with

something. That stops you from walking forward, nice sharp bubbling

from Frampton. That is better from Santa Cruz, one of those fights that

will be close, it could be difficult to score. Santa Cruz, back came

Frampton, the left hand of his own. That is important, for Frampton.

Always fireback. Santa Cruz is a fighter who is capable of throwing

100 punches around if he gets into his rhythm and he can look very

impressive if he can throw that jab and double up on the front foot.

Fascinating opening round. That is around four Frampton, for me. -- a

round for Carl Frampton. When he steps in, he always comes back, the

sharper, jab straight after, nice and quick. Rory McIlroy. The reward

of failing to make the halfway cut in the US PGA, he can be at

ringside. And Frank Lampard just behind him. And Lee Selby is in the

crowd, the IBF featherweight champion. Nice body shot from Santa

Cruz, Frampton replies with one of his own. That is a nice right hand

from Santa Cruz, Frampton trying to return fire but Santa Cruz will like

that. Frampton must be careful, do not go

back in straight lines. The right hand from Santa Cruz. He has to stay

nice and low, Frampton, he is in the pocket. Trying to produce powerful

shots in the early days of this fight, Frampton, to show that he is

in there. It is important that he makes Santa Cruz feel his power

early in this fight. Bullying Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is so much of a

fighter, he is better on the front foot. He is trying to take this away

from Santa Cruz but is this high risk? I think it is important that

he fires back, but I do not think he wants to get involved in much of

this, evenhanded, maybe. Santa Cruz is used to throwing punches. That

was a nice right hand from Frampton, and another, Santa Cruz fighting

from his back foot but doing so effectively. Santa Cruz has landed

more shots but I think the better quality has come from Carl Frampton.

He says he wants to create a sporting legacy. In 20 years he

wants to be able to walk into the bars in Belfast and for people to

say there is Carl Frampton, our greatest fighter, do you want a

pint? I think a lot of people would do that anyway but good shot! He

staggers Santa Cruz. The crowd up on their feet. Core him off balance,

the power of Frampton, another big right hand and another. Dramatic

exchange in this second. Still has to keep his hands in the air and

stay nice and low, a left hook catching Santa Cruz coming forward.

Must not get too carried away. Signs in the second round of Santa Cruz

being beaten to the punch and I don't think many thought that would

happen, a good body shot again from Frampton. The closing seconds of a

round where the power shots emphatically came from Frampton, and

look at the Irish fans on their feet. At tremendous run from prof

Frampton. He has made Santa Cruz feel the power early and that will

make him cautious going forward knowing that he can be hurt.

Just on the top of the head there. He nearly went, Barry. We've seen

him recover quite well. Frampton took his time, didn't rush in, he

knows Santa Cruz is always dangerous, he will fire back. He was

off balance, it accentuated it. I think the shot hit him of Allen 's

from the top of the head, it was a gently heavy shot and he felt it.

Santa Cruz doesn't look like a 2-1 favourite now, first two rounds to

Frampton. Moving into the third. He wasn't having a bad run until then,

he was the busier of the two. And lovely look to this fight, the

referee has almost been anonymous so far. Let's hope it continues that

way. Frampton doesn't quite well, he takes that little step back, Santa

Cruz through three long straight punches, it is about angles, a mere

punches and angled down low. Barry McGuigan and animated figure at

ringside, living every punch with the man whose career he has guided,

spotted him as an amateur and he saw the talent he thought would carry

him to the top. So far he has been proved right. Good head moved there

from Carl Frampton. And nice left hook again and more of a tentative

look about Santa Cruz than there was in the early stages. Trying to keep

his gloves high. That's the important thing, to stay low, he's

made the block, straight punches and hooks, little screw shots.

Frampton's right hand, and I hope over the top, and back comes Santa

Cruz. Brilliant work there from Carl Frampton. Just take a step to the

site, move away and start again. Early stages, still in the third

round, but Frampton is looking the superior boxer. And also the man

with a heavier shots. It was important to make Santa Cruz feel

his power, Santa Cruz was going to do for it at one stage but now he's

more tentative to come forth. A nice hand over the top from Frampton

again, Santa Cruz going looking for him. A glancing blow and a trace of

a smile on the face of the Mexican. Right hand to body of Frampton. That

is something, the jab and then work the body. He's taking a step to the

side, a good round their again for Carl Frampton. Irish fans in full

voice. Keep this stamina and then hit him 12 and then step. A little

stammer, David Hay in the background, watching. He didn't

quite reach for the jab. He knew he had to go forward without right

uppercut. A lovely shot. Very well good judgment of the distance. He

will be over the moon, Barry McGuigan. Barry McGuigan has said in

the run-up to this he is a better fighter than I was. If he is, he is

some fighter. So far here he is proving himself, but a long way to

go as we move into Round 4 of this 12 round world title fight. I'm sure

at some point of the fight he will get into the rhythm but he hasn't

nailed it yet. Scott Quigg didn't come on strong in the second half of

what you would say was the career defining fight of Carl Frampton to

date and he did have one or two rocky moments in the second half of

that fight -- Scott Quigg did come on strong. Frampton rather

telegraphed that right and left himself open to the counter. A

little more snap in the punches of Carl Frampton. I like the little

phrase Shane McGuigan was using, keep the stuttering in your work.

There is the right hand of Santa Cruz, he doesn't want to absorb too

many of those. Good body shot and right hand over the top.

Left hook therefrom Santa Cruz. Frampton has to keep that right hand

up when he throws the left. A backward step, again a smite --

slight smile on the face of Santa Cruz. Again, he's looking busier,

Santa Cruz, are hardier worker than Carl Frampton. A little more weight

in the punches. He said if he cannot make it a war he will try to make it

long and work on his jabs. It's a great sign for Frampton at Santa

Cruz hasn't been trying to steam roller him because he knows Frampton

can hurt him, he knows he has power. This is better from Santa Cruz. Good

right hand. Good timing there, good rocket. Best spell of the round,

good right hand from Frampton, back comes Santa Cruz, who was having his

best spell of the fight so far. I think he just caught Frampton coming

forward. Nice shot from Frampton, final scoring punch of the round

from Santa Cruz, showing that he has the ability to box his way back into

this. Maybe his first round of the fight so far. I thought he was

busier for the first half of the round Tom Frampton, but then lovely

shots from Santa Cruz to claw the round back. If you were in the Santa

Cruz Corner what would you say? You have to make space for that right

hand, I think single punches, he pushes him back to the first one and

then make space for the long right hand. Just trying to come forward.

If you were watching this, or watching it back and have been

there, then you will say, it is showing that it is what we hoped it

would be as we move into the fifth round.

Frampton, who has made a great start to this fight, but Santa Cruz

starting to find his rhythm and his range in the fourth. Nice right hand

from Frampton. He is not afraid to commit, Santa Cruz, but a little

cautious. Even that jab, there is nothing on it, he's not as confident

as he usually is when he wants to be offensive. He got smacked in the

head as he brought it back, that right hand has served Frampton well.

See steps behind the first jab and a solid punch connected well, he just

pushes Frampton back a little off-balance. Not far off without

right hand there, Carl Frampton. First minute of this fifth round,

and despite the posturing, not too many solid shots landed so far. He

is dipping to the left, sorry, dipping to the right, Carl Frampton.

Every now and then I would dip to the left and come back with a long

left hook. Or maybe a left uppercut. Keeping the variety, I guess. Santa

Cruz a little bit tentative, good defensively from Frampton.

Quiet road so far when defensive skills have been shown by both men.

Concentration level from Carl Frampton is pretty good so far.

We were talking about Santa Cruz peeing 100 punches a round, but not

tonight. The right again, that is the one Santa Cruz is wary of. A

lovely shop there from Frampton, he will have to take a decent shot,

just stop him in his tracks. A quieter round, these are the rooms

that can be so important in scoring a fight. Sometimes with these quiet

rounds on which the whole verdict might hinge, left hand from Frampton

as he comes leaping in and over the top on the bell. Close round. A

Frampton round for me, though. I think he is boxing great right now.

See that creeping up, creeping up, he's trying to tie you all the time,

keep changing the rhythm. The more you change your height and side to

side, just stammering in and out. Frampton is boxing great, the fact

he has reduced Santa Cruz to only throwing 30 punches a round is a

thing in itself. He made him feel the power early. Leo Santa Cruz has

been one of the world's outstanding boxers in recent years, many thought

he would have too much for Frampton but Frampton is ahead. Sixth round

of the fight. Good timing, he's taking shots because he is boxing a

quality operator. Looking to vary his angles. Took a

couple from Santa Cruz as he went in and closed there and another one but

a good right hand, Frampton. Terrific exchange, Barry. Santa Cruz

is doing more punches but the heavier hands are coming from Carl

Frampton. He walked into a left hook from Santa Cruz in close. It's the

right uppercut now, Carl Frampton. This is macho man staff, on which

the reputation of Mexico has been built, is this were Santa Cruz will

feel comfortable or will it be Frampton?

Not there not being wasted. Santa Cruz is busier but the quality work

is from Carl Frampton, for sure. Good footwork, Santa Cruz was made

to miss that. He is struggling at the minute, Santa Cruz, not being

outboxed but struggling. Not the usual snap in that jab. He is

reticent to double up, his trademark attack. He will keep trying and

throwing punches and being competitive but once you can feel

the power of somebody who can punch, you push the punch and the jab,

everything tends to be slower. Another good exchange and Santa Cruz

is digging deep, very big head shots. And this time it is Frampton

on the back foot. You can see the glee in his face, after some

success, Frampton is feeling his power. Santa Cruz is digging deep.

And he is prevailing, maybe, in the latter stages of Round 6. Showing

the resolve of the champion. It is all about perseverance with Santa

Cruz. Well over the top. That is a Santa Cruz round. It was pretty much

up for grabs until the last 30 seconds and then some quality work

from Leo Santa Cruz and he needed that, as well. We're watching some

of the action, that was a terrific ground. The referee had nothing to

do. Both of them digging in, lots of missed punches but this is towards

the end of the round, left-hand and right gets through from Santa Cruz,

starting to get on top. Lovely two left hooks. And once he has that

success, he lets his hands go, he keeps pumping them out. Once they

get hit, they will both fireback. Halfway stage. You have this 4-2,

Frampton. Into the second half of the fight. Santa Cruz, such

phenomenal fitness levels, and he fancies this more. Baby at a point

where Frampton has to assert himself. -- maybe. There was always

the situation where this would be telling. On the stretch. He still

has loads of energy. Round 6, that might be the catalyst to get him

going. The first time the referee has had to say anything to both

fighters. Santa Cruz is throwing more 11 at the stage. That was a

good uppercut from Frampton. That was good, bending his legs, and low.

Silly, lazy mistake from Carl Frampton, there. Santa Cruz,

starting to outwork Frampton. This could be the key moment in the

fight. Frampton needs to stop Santa Cruz really getting into his rhythm.

Santa Cruz getting rhythm, and he is... He needs to hurt him again.

Santa Cruz on the front foot, where he wants to be. Relentless. He keeps

on coming, the Irish bands trying to raise up Frampton once more, who had

a dream start to the site. -- fans. Just a little bit pushing his

punches again, Carl Frampton. He seems to have lost the initiative.

He has had to work hard to get that good lead. Lovely left hook from

Frampton. That was well timed. And, again... But the overall impression

in this round, like the last one, is that the more scoring shots and

maybe the eye-catching work is coming from Santa Cruz. Lovely left

hand from Frampton but the Mexican is landing more punches. He is

finishing this round pretty good, Carl Frampton. Santa Cruz has been

busier, for sure. Going down as another Santa Cruz, this round.

Despite moments of quality from Frampton. It is absolutely in the

balance. Do you agree? Yes, two rounds on the spin, this is very

important for Carl Frampton, he needs to win this round and stop the

momentum of Santa Cruz. He starting to feel more comfortable. You will

hybrid own ideas but Santa Cruz, has he turned the tide? -- you will have

your own. Moving into Round 8. Absolutely in the mix. That is his

father. Jose, leading the corner. With his brother, Antonio, by his

side. And on the other side... Well, you know who that is! Carl Frampton

has been boxing great up until now, but he needs his second wind, to

stop Santa Cruz's lament. Round 8. He needs to hurt him again. --

momentum. Can he do so? Can he somehow find the power to put Santa

Cruz into reverse gear, take some of the urgency out of his work? His

father is raging with his jab. That is a worrying sign. Frampton, trying

to do precisely what you said, trying to get inside and upset the

rhythm of Santa Cruz and this is a very big moment in the fight, who

will prevail? That is good from Frampton, looking for the right

uppercut. Both of them are waging war. And Frampton is on the front

foot once more. All of the quality in that exchange was from Frampton,

for me. That was a good body shot. Two of them, landing with real

quality, left hooks to the body and both finding the target. This is

where you cannot switch off, Frampton, at a safe distance, Santa

Cruz closes that gap quickly. Close round but Santa Cruz may be throwing

more punches, even if Frampton is blocking the bulk of them. You have

to go back to slipping and counting, Frampton. Take the jab. Holding his

feet too long. Trying to measure him for the big right hand, Frampton. It

is good that he has Santa Cruz moving back. He is less effective in

his box. With his back to the ropes. Lovely left leg, right hand. In and

out, scoring shots and then the way from the danger area. Again,

Frampton had the better of that exchange. This is a big round. And

these last 45 seconds are key to the outcome. Left hook, back from Santa

Cruz. Santa Cruz is showing why he has

been and is an outstanding champion. It did look at one point like he was

going to be very much a Frampton fight but Santa Cruz has find their

way to claw his way back. That was a good left hook from Frampton. Again,

another of those little quality over quantity runs. The busier Santa Cruz

against the quality shots of Frampton. The left hand from Santa

Cruz just before that. That was close, difficult to score. I just

fancied Frampton. The better exchanges in the pocket, throwing

punches. It is one in which I would put a question over the side of

this, it could go easily the... I almost said the wrong way! I must

maintain some semblance of impartiality! The right uppercut.

That was an important shot for Carl Frampton. Santa Cruz shrugging this

off, he keeps working away. Lovely jab. But that was a better right

hand from Frampton. You have got this 5-3, Frampton. It could be the

other way, who knows? Quality fight. Gripping fight as we move into the

last four arrives. Round 9. It is hard as well, fast pace. Not frantic

but fast. It is hard and it will be important in this final stretch for

Frampton, to keep that energy and the sharpness in his punches because

you know that Santa Cruz will not well. It could become torrid for

both men. Fitness as well as boxing ability. He has been really sharp

tonight, Carl Frampton, brilliant. He is the one who is going to tell

right more than Santa Cruz. He needs to land the big shots. Right and

left hand from Frampton. He makes Santa Cruz mess by distance with his

attempt at attack. He has slowed the pace down of Santa Cruz, still it is

a high pace but not the usual relentless pace.

How will the judges make this? If it goes the distance? Trying to get the

right hand into play. That nice, long right hand. Again, just

missing. There is a sense of desperation about the work of Santa

Cruz. He has clearly been given the riot act by his corner, trying to

get onto the front foot and be the macho man. Again, he is being

outboxed. He was caught on the way end by Frampton. Nice little one,

two. The right hand comes down and he keeps that nice and low. That jab

from Santa Cruz. It has not been the key factor that we thought it would

be. Frampton has find a way of me getting that reach advantage. --

negating. It looks like Frampton has got his second wind. Lovely right

hand from Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz responding to a few chances --

chanting from his own supporters and a very big attack from the Mexican.

Missing with everything after that big right hand. The perception is

that Santa Cruz was the aggressor, there. From a different angle, for

the judges, it does look like Santa Cruz is putting Frampton under

pressure and having some success. The last few seconds of the round

where Frampton landed some quality shots but the perception that he was

perhaps being outworked and maybe the round slips away? Buffer me,

Santa Cruz was busier but earlier in the round, I think the better

quality was Frampton. It was what I liked. We will see what the replay

boys have picked out... There we go. Pretty handy left hook. I think

Santa Cruz finished strongly. The best punch of the round. That one.

Brilliant shot. Because he has punched through, he lacks that snap

and that is why he was not bothered bout. Into the body, mix it up.

Right and left. Barry has got this 6-3 for Frampton. At least three of

those have been very close and could have gone the other way. Round 10. I

have two rounds that could easily have gone with Santa Cruz. They are

all tied. -- tight. Three rounds, quite conceivably these are the

three that will decide the outcome. This will be the time for Santa

Cruz, his time to be the one that he knows he always will raise his

workrate. Sometimes when you box with a frantic pace, and somebody

slows you down, because you through less punches you have more energy

but the fact you're boxing at somebody else's pace, that can take

energy away and I think Frampton has done that a little bit with Santa

Cruz. If you're not enjoying this fight, I

don't think you get boxing. Good quality, good action to the tempo as

well. And the whole of Ireland is hoping Frampton can carry out what

he is threatening to do with an inspired display here so far, but is

it enough? Just a few seconds ago, Frampton dipped his legs and went

low. Well timed from the Mexico. The Irish fans are making themselves

heard now. Jumping into the punches, some scrappy work there from

Frampton. It is almost as though this is at the Odyssey Arena, Lee

Selby among those watching at ringside, the IBF champion and Carl

Frampton has spoken for fighting for another five years and having his

dream fight at Windsor Park, and Selby could be the man if Frampton

can prevail. A good round here for Santa Cruz so far. The last minute

is where the judges I can be caught. It's the last round, because Santa

Cruz finished the stronger... Frampton has to absorb another right

hand. Hasn't done a lot in this round so far. When he is attacking,

he's jumping in front to far out and getting caught on the fraud.

Terrific energy of Santa Cruz showing here and those swings from

Frampton just a little bit wild and straighter punches of Santa Cruz are

swinging this one. It has been a good round for Santa Cruz. Nice

defence, caught Frampton coming forward, pushing him back. Good

round for the champion, and Leo Santa Cruz, if those tight rounds

had gone his way, that could be the round to push them towards the

finishing line or maybe narrowing the gap. I think he has narrowed the

gap that Carl Frampton is still ahead, to round to go, this is where

we know he has to finish these last few round strong, this is where

Frampton has to dig deep and try to finish this fight with a flurry. You

have it now 6-4 in Frampton's favour. Who've seen some big, heavy

shots. Nearly got a majority decision when he beat Abner Mares. A

lot more emphatically, the counter judge scored at level. It could now

all come down to the last two rounds. Right hand from Frampton and

another one. Santa Cruz trying to get onto the front foot and both of

them trying to throw in body shots, bringing the reminder from the

referee. A good start to the round from Frampton, Santa Cruz busier but

a little scrappy. Good right hand, Santa Cruz, and that stopped

Frampton in his tracks and now he has had to dig in to get in close.

Hard shots to take this late in the fight. Santa Cruz trying to bully

Frampton, Frampton having none of it, fighting fire with fire. Best

punch of the round, that right hook to the head that Santa Cruz through.

That has drained the energy from Frampton, you can see it in his

body. And he absorbs another right hand. Nice tight defence, nice and

loose with the punches. Good uppercut there from Carl Frampton.

He is being at work here. -- outworked. A good right-hander from

Santa Cruz. He is tireless, he just keeps on. He dipped those legs and

dipped that body shot with the right hand.

Nice right hand to the body from Frampton. There is no discernible

effect on Santa Cruz. Well timed there from Santa Cruz with that jab.

And another big right from Santa Cruz, rocks Frampton on to his

heels. Left hook this time and Frampton's defence is looking more

porous. He's tired now, getting sloppy with his work, good left hook

that it has taken energy out of him. Cannot fault the effort from both,

tremendous. I think this is a Santa Cruz round. Yeah, bait. Those right

hands have been telling and eye-catching punches in this

interlude. It is about staying disciplined now, keep your shape, a

clear Santa Cruz round. Frampton raises his arm, he knows he caught

on with that right hand in the closing seconds but it was a round

in which he was outworked. You have it Frampton by one. It is a

fantastic fight, so much quality in their work. Took it well there, Carl

Frampton, but it drained all the energy out of him, after that punch

he laboured. Last round, you hear the referee saying touch gloves,

huge respect between these two for a long time. You look at the other

champions out there, Lee Selby, Gary Russell Jr, whatever the outcome of

this, plenty will be saying they could see this again. Oscar Valdez

is very talented. The last three minutes of a very absorbing fight.

Santa Cruz you can guarantee will not stop throwing leather in this

round. Frampton has to bout down on that gumshield, he will be busy,

keep the concentration levels as high as he can. Good effort there

from Frampton again. Right hand there from Santa Cruz. What a vivid

picture of two real fighting men. The fight could still be on a knife

edge. Good right-hander from Santa Cruz. Solid body shot from Frampton,

he gets the better of that exchange. It's important for Frampton not to

throw his punches and stand in front of Santa Cruz, throw them and move.

Good from Santa Cruz there. And beats him to the punch with the jab,

the lateral movement that has served Frampton well in the early stages

isn't quite there now. Got to get that long right hand into play,

Santa Cruz. A decent long left hand and another one from Frampton. The

Irish fans again on their feet. Coming up towards the last minute,

the time when we see how much you want it. They have to lay everything

on the line now and they are doing so. This is great, the last round,

look at this. Irish fans in full voice as Frampton tries to finish

with a big attack. A good right hand as well there, Carl Frampton. Again

I think Santa Cruz has been the busier, probably the better shots

from Carl Frampton. Frampton looking for the huge right hand, fainting to

throw it, can he deliver? Stifles Santa Cruz and dances away. Makes

Santa Cruz missed again with those wild swings. Santa Cruz coming pod,

it gives the impression he's having the better of this round. Needs a

strong finish now. Has he done enough to win this last round,

Frampton? Two big right hand from Santa Cruz, the two of them waving

away up to the final bell. Both of them celebrate. The crowd have been

treated to something special. The fighters know it, too proud

champions and for both of them that has been the hardest fight of their

career. Has Frampton done enough or will it be Santa Cruz? How did you

score the last round? It could be even but I just favoured Santa Cruz

as busier. So you have a draw. It was fantastic and whatever the

result of Frampton was excellent. All Barry McGuigan can do is hope

and think and maybe even pray. Has Carl Frampton done enough? Ladies

and gentlemen, after 12 rounds of action we give to the scorecards.

Judge at ringside scores the boat, 114 - 114, a draw. Overruled by

Judges Frank Lombardi, scoring the fight 116-112 and Tom Schreck 's,

117 - 111, in favour of the winner by majority decision, and the new

WBA reigning champion of the world, the Irish Champion, The Jackal,

Frampton! A majority decision, margins of four rounds and six

rounds, six rounds I have to say I find a big margin -- margin but Carl

Frampton has the proudest moment of his career and it is a night of

sensational Irish celebration in New York. He said he was fighting for

his legacy, tonight he has produced the performance he dreams of.

I don't know if it has sunk in yet. I will probably feel better when I

get home but at this point I just feel tired but it's a nice feeling.

What was the key to the wind? Distance control and hitting him

hard and letting him know I could punch hard, I think I hurt in the

second round, gave him respect and that was the plan, we spoke about

it, Shane and I, we all knew it would be tough. This is the fight of

the year and if they get a better one than that I would be surprised.

He is unified the divisions and won the WBA, my old title 30 years ago

and he has definitely put his foot into the Hall of Fame and I

guarantee you that he will be in the Hall of Fame six years after he

retires because of that performance tonight and I believe he has another

two years of world-class fighting to win more titles. Carl Frampton is my

first ever fighter, I wouldn't have the guys like David Hayes and George

Kruis knocking at my door if it was not for him. We are a good

combination when we are together, we respect each other, we know what he

does and I can keep him on the straight and narrow and we have

grown so much together and now he has shown his skill tonight, the sky

is the limit for all these guys, we are all developing in the gym, no

egos, just enjoying what we do. I've never been as nervous at a sporting

event, whether the Ryder Cup or myself or watching Northern Ireland,

when you were there and I don't think there is any better show in

sport than boxing, especially when two good fighters are going to to

town like that, so there was a lot going on but this month that the win

in the end. You are proud of where you are from, how good an ambassador

is he? Unbelievable, the whole community has got behind him and I

think sport brings people together it's not like one side or another,

everyone is behind him, it doesn't matter where you are from, if you're

from Northern Ireland to you support your own and he's a fantastic

ambassador and role model and a loyal family man, which is great to

see. I'm in the driving seat now, I can get big fights and it will

change my life and my family's life and I'm looking forward to the

right. I'm approaching 30 but I feel like they can still get better and

there is plenty more to come. People paid a lot of money to come out and

support me and it would be nice to have a couple of pints and maybe get

a few pictures. The victory has turned Carl Frampton into one of the

biggest names in boxing. This week he is enjoying some well-deserved

time of with his family in Spain ahead of the wedding of his trainer

Shea McGuigan in Majorca but he will be back in action soon, purring for

the new defence of his title, and that fight will take place before

the end of the year as he continues a remarkable boxing journey that

began here in North Belfast.