Santa Cruz promises rematch victory over frustrating and confusing Frampton
Leo Santa Cruz [32(18)-1(0)-1] admits that Carl Frampton left him “frustrated and confused” during their WBA featherweight title clash at the Barclays Centre in New York in July.
Nevertheless, the Mexican-American feels he perhaps should have been given the nod, and ‘El Terremoto’ plans to make amends in the inevitable rematch with the Belfast man.
Frampton [23(14)-0] scored a majority decision (117-111. 116-112, 114-114) win over the three-weight World champ in what was a minor upset
Speaking on Fox Sports 1 as part of the punditry team for the PBC clash between Eddie Ramirez and Kevin Watts in California, Santa Cruz reflected on his sole career loss
“I think what I did wrong was I waited too much.”
“I waited too long, I think I got a little frustrated and confused.”
“I think from the first round I should have put pressure on him, stay on top of him.”
The California-based fighter, much like previous Frampton victim Scott Quigg, is determined to secure a rematch. Santa Cruz stressed that “we’re going to look for the rematch and in the rematch we’re going to do everything way different and we’re going to be many times better.”
“I don’t do no excuses, I want the rematch, I want my belt back
“I want the rematch immediately, I want to go straight to the rematch.”
“We want the fight to be in December, I don’t want to take no other fight before I take Frampton.”
“We’re going to push it to get the rematch, and hopefully it happens.”
The 28 year old also reiterated his belief that he should have been given the nod in the New York barnstomer. While he admits to having not yet watched the bout back, Santa Cruz described how “I thought it was a pretty even fight, it could have gone either way, it was a pretty tough fight.”
“A lot of fans told me I won the fight, that it was a tough fight but they told me I won by a point.”
“A lot of people said Frampton won by a point, but me being the champion, I think a close fight should have gone to me.”
