The fight has been on the books for some time, but it was made official on Tuesday: Featherweight world titleholder Leo Santa Cruz will defend against Carl Frampton on July 30 (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Northern Ireland’s Frampton, who unified two junior featherweight world titles in a split decision win against England’s Scott Quigg in February, gave up his belts and is moving up in weight to challenge Santa Cruz, who will be making his second title defense.
Santa Cruz (32-0-1, 18 KOs), a former bantamweight and junior featherweight titleholder, outpointed Los Angeles rival Abner Mares to win a vacant featherweight belt in August and made his first defense on Feb. 27 in Anaheim, California, knocking out former junior featherweight titlist Kiko Martinez in the fifth round. Martinez had lost twice previously to Frampton, including his world title in 2014.
Santa Cruz, 27, has fought primarily on the West Coast and is excited to make his first trip to New York for one of his biggest fights.
“I’ve never been to New York before and I’m looking forward to this big opportunity to put on a show for new fans in a new city,” Santa Cruz said. “I always fight for the fans, and I’m excited to be able to do that somewhere I haven’t been before.
“Frampton is a good fighter. He has power and skills and he moves when he has to, but he has a weak chin. When he gets caught with a good punch, he goes down. He doesn’t like pressure, and I have that. I’m looking forward to putting on an exciting show at Barclays Center, and I hope I leave with lots of new fans.”
Frampton (22-0, 14 KOs) will be fighting in the Untied States for the second time. Last July, he retained his junior featherweight by unanimous decision in El Paso, Texas, but had a tough time with Alejandro Gonzalez Jr., who knocked him down twice in the first round.
Frampton then defeated Quigg and is returning to the U.S. for the much-anticipated showdown against Santa Cruz.
“I am in terrific shape, I feel fantastic in the gym and I am ready for the biggest fight of my career,” Frampton said. “On July 30 I will become a two-weight world champion. I respect Leo Santa Cruz. He is a great fighter and person, but I am preparing meticulously to overcome any challenge he brings on July 30. I cannot wait to hear the crowd at Barclays Center. It is my first time boxing in New York, where some of the greatest fights have taken place.
“I know there will be a large number of fans traveling from the U.K. and Ireland, but there is also a huge Irish-American audience and I am eager to show them all what I can do. Get your tickets now. It’s going to be a great fight!”
Frampton, 29, said he is also excited for the fight because he has a chance to claim the same belt that his manager, Hall of Famer Barry McGuigan, held 30 years ago.
“Santa Cruz versus Frampton is not only the best fight that can be made in the featherweight division, it truly is one of the most anticipated fights in all of boxing,” said promoter Lou DiBella, who is putting on the card. “Boxing fans can expect nonstop action in this can’t-miss matchup of aggressive styles. There’s no better way for Santa Cruz and Frampton to make their New York debuts than at Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, against each other.”
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