BOXING: Carl Frampton urges Leo Santa Cruz to accept Belfast fight

The Belfast fighter lost his WBA Featherweight World title to the Mexican in Las Vegas earlier this year and Frampton wants Santa Cruz to fight at Windsor Park in Belfast this summer.

“We’re offering him the biggest payday he’s ever had and more than he’ll get if he fights someone else to come to Belfast,

”If he doesn’t come after that then he’s not a man of his word and I’ll lose respect for him,” Frampton told UTV Sport.

And Frampton admitted he wants to fight at home this summer.

“To have a ring in the centre circle of Windsor Park would be an absolute dream come true for me.

“We have a couple of dates set aside there so we’ll have to wait and see who the opponent is but I want it to be Santa Cruz and so do the fans.”

But if Santa Cruz won’t play ball Frampton would be happy to face IBF king Lee Selby.

Lee Selby is a great fighter and I have a lot of respect for him.

“He is a champion but he needs to realise that he has been on the undercard of big fights, he would not attract the crowds, if we fight each other, which is a realistic prospect if Santa Cruz doesn’t play ball, then it will be in Belfast.”