Carl Frampton

Carl Frampton Wants to Settle His Score with Leo Santa Cruz

On Saturday, November 18, 2017, Carl Frampton (34-1-1, 19 KOs) starts a new chapter in his already impressive boxing career.

Frampton will take on Mexico’s Horacio Garcia (33-3-1, 24 KOs) with a brand new team behind him, including veteran promoter Frank Warren.

After splitting a pair of exciting fights with WBA Featherweight title holder, Leo Santa Cruz, the Northern Ireland native went back to the drawing board to reevaluate his team, passion for the sport and future as a fighter.

Frampton’s reevaluation ended with a split with his promoter Barry McGuigan and trainer Shane McGuigan. Frampton is now trained by Manchester-based trainer Jamie Moore. Frampton also signed a new advisory deal with MTK Global.

“There was always the possibility that I could go my own way, but to have someone on your side advising you and getting you the best deal possible is always important,” said Frampton in regards to his deal with MTK Global. “I feel Matthew Macklin and MTK Global can definitely do that.”

Frampton had been–surprisingly–considering retiring because his passion for boxing didn’t seem to be there any longer.

“I was always talking about retirement,” said Frampton to the Daily Star. “I was thinking, ‘F*** this boxing is a hard game, I want to get out’. I just felt like I needed a change and I needed to do something.”

Ryan Greene/PBC

And now, with his first hometown fight since 2015 just days away, Frampton seems as hungry as ever.

“There are so many big fights–even guys without belts–and there are about seven or eight guys I’d be happy to fight,” said Frampton (per ESPN). “The main one I want is Leo Santa Cruz, it’s one each between us and I’d love him to come this side of the Pond but I doubt he will.”

After the exciting back-and-forth action that Santa Cruz and Frampton provided fans with the first two times, a third tussle would be welcomed by all.

But even if an immediate deal cannot be struck with Santa Cruz, the 30-year-old Belfast man has tons of options in a stacked Featherweight division that includes Abner Mares, Gary Russell Jr., Oscar Valdez, Lee Selby and Josh Warrington–to name a few.

“Selby, him and Warrington are going to fight, but at this point in time I’d be confident Selby would win that fight and I’d be happy to fight the winner,” said Frampton.

As for all of the retirement talk that dominated his days not too long ago, Frampton says it’s on the back burner now.

“I’m not even thinking that now, it’s on the back burner and I’m genuinely enjoying boxing again now, I’m enjoying myself around the gym,” said Frampton. “At this point in time that’s the last thing in my mind. I’m not going to carry on into my 40s, but I’ve extended that 32.”

Frampton’s bout against Garcia this Saturday can be seen on BT Sport and Box Nation in the UK, but will not be aired in the United States.

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