Carl Frampton vs Leo Santa Cruz: Frampton looking forward to tackling new role as house husband – but only after becoming two-weight world champ
The Northern Irishman takes on WBA Super world featherweight king Santa Cruz in Brooklyn
CARL FRAMPTON is hungry for more big fights — but is looking forward to the day he can become a house husband.
The Jackal tackles WBA Super world featherweight king Leo Santa Cruz late tonight at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Frampton — who moved up from super-bantamweight for the clash — will write history as Northern Ireland’s first two-weight world champ if he sees off the Mexican, unbeaten in 33.
Victory would also open the door to a mouth-watering unification clash with Lee Selby and the IBF title-holder is going to be ringside in the Big Apple.
Yet it may have been different had Frampton’s missus Christine not put her own career on hold to stay at home with their kids, Carla and Rossa.
The Belfast boxer said: “I’m 29 and I want every fight from now until I hang up my gloves to be a big one.
“Both in the US and back home. I can go as long as I want. I am not a teetotaller — I have a drink now and then — but I train hard all the time and I’ve not been in many wars. I don’t know if I want to keep going much past 32 or 33.
“Christine is a very clever girl and has done a degree in criminology and justice, which she hasn’t been able to develop because she let me focus on boxing while she looks after the kids.
“So I feel bad because she put a lot of hard work in to get her degree and hasn’t been able to follow up.
“If she wants to go to work, I am happy to be a house husband.
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“Can I imagine sitting at home with nothing to do? I’d love that. The kids would be older so they won’t be as hard work. It would be great. I want big fights, to make some dough, win titles and have security for my kids and my wife and sail into the sunset.”
Frampton beat Scott Quigg on points in February to unify the IBF and WBA super-bantamweight titles.
Those belts were sacrificed to go up a division and face Santa Cruz, who has won world titles at THREE weights.
Frampton has long wanted to fight the relentless puncher, known for his tight defence, and he feels the step up in weight will be to his advantage.
He added: “I wanted this fight when I was a super-bantamweight, when I wasn’t at my best — it’s probably better for me at featherweight.
“I’m preparing for Santa Cruz to throw a hundred punches a round. But when I start hitting hard, he’ll think twice.”
Santa Cruz, 27, nearly pulled the fight when his father and trainer Jose was diagnosed with bone cancer.
But after chemotherapy and surgery, Santa Cruz Sr is well enough to be in his son’s corner.
Watch Frampton v Santa Cruz exclusively live on BoxNation tonight. Buy at boxnation.com