CARL FRAMPTON wants to secure a trilogy fight with Leo Santa Cruz as soon as possible after losing his unbeaten record and WBA featherweight title to the Mexican-American in Las Vegas last night.
Santa Cruz boxed well to earn a majority decision over Frampton, who had previously defeated him last year in New York.
With the score 1-1 between them and both fights being exciting and closely contested, Frampton wants an immediate opportunity at revenge.
“I want to fight Leo again straight away. I won the first fight, he won the second fight, letโs just do it straight away,” he said.
“I want to fight in Belfast next, thatโs what I want to do, Iโve been on the road for two years, my fans are having to pay a lot of money to come and see me. I want to thank them, they come in their numbers but theyโre paying a lot of money. Iโd like to repay them with a fight back home and hopefully that can happen.
“Obviously Iโm very disappointed. It was a good fight. ย Me and Leo, weโve now had 24 rounds with each other and I think theyโve all been competitive rounds. Its 1-1 now so if Iโm going to look at any sort of a positive out of this, we have to make it a trilogy. It has to happen again.
“I believe that he deserved to have his hand raised. Congratulations to the new champion and hopefully we can do it again. Iโve come to the States twice now and Leo said heโd come to Belfast for the third one, I hope heโs a man of his word. He can come and stay at my house if he wants.”
Santa Cruz was handed his first pro loss by Frampton, and was granted an immediate rematch. Prior to the fight he said that if he were to win, a rubber match would be an inevitability.
“Iโm a man of my word and a world champion, a true champion, will go anywhere,” he said.
“In the ring, itโs only me and Carl Frampton. If I come and his fans will all be for him and if I win and they give the decision to him, I know the fans all over the world will know I won and if he wins fair and square then Iโll give it to him. A true champion goes anywhere.
“The trilogy, I would like to give it to Frampton because heโs a great fighter and a great man. Hopefully our managers can come to an agreement, heโs a great fighter and he deserves it.”