Following their fight of the year candidate Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton showdown lived up to its potential. The luck of the Irish prevailed as Carl Frampton pulled out a majority decision over the Mexican warrior Santa Cruz.
The Jackal talked about his big win at the post fight press conferene.
"I don't know what to say, I don't think it has sunk in yet. I wanted to win. It was the toughest fight of my career. I felt I did enough to win. I could of made it easier but I fought with my heart not my head," Carl Frampton said. "The noise was great the crowd got behind both of us. Leo Santa Cruz hit me harder than Alejandro Gonzalez. I think I hurt him in the second round, once I hit him hard he backed off, " Frampton added.
With the win Carl Frampton stays undefeated improving to 23-0, 14 KO's and wins the WBA featherweight title handing Leo Santa Cruz his first loss.
"I don't think there is a rematch clause but I don't know. I would love to take him to Belfast," Carl Frampton said. "There is Lee Selby and Gary Russell here too. I want to fight here and once a year in Belfast at home," Frampton added.
"I want to be involved in big fights and a fight with Rigondeaux would be a stinker," Frampton said.
Santa Cruz spoke on his defeat as he talked with media.
"It was a great fight, it was a tough fight, it could of gone either way. I don't take nothing from Frampton we just want the rematch," Leo Santa Cruz said.
"He had great footwork and movement my plan was to pressure him. My dad wanted me to box but next time in the rematch we will execute better,"
For Santa Cruz he suffers his first loss and goes to 32-1-1, 18 KO's.
"I want a rematch in LA or in Belfast," Santa Cruz. "All I am thinking of is the rematch against Carl Frampton hopefully we get it,"
Mikey Garcia of Oxnard, California was victorious in his comeback fight as he stopped Elio Rojas of the Dominican Republic in five rounds in a scheduled ten round super lightweight bout. Garcia scored a pair of knockdowns in round three. The former world champ continued to attack in round five as he sent Rojas to the canvas another two times to seal the win.
"I am happy with my performance I showed everyone I am back and I am ready to go after the champions," Garcia said.
"It felt really good getting back to do what I love most. 2 and a half year of litigation and politics kept me from that. It felt good to show everybody what I can," Garcia added.
Garcia improves his record and remains undefeated at 35-0, 28 KO's.
"I would like to win a title at 135 one name that comes to mind is WBO champ Terry Flanagan, I would love to add the WBO 135 to my collection," Garcia on his future.
"I want to make my stand at 135, I really don't want to skip the division. I think I can compete at 135 or 140. I am willing to fight anybody," Garcia added.
Southern California Fighters in Brooklyn
In a scheduled ten round lightweight bout Los Angeles based Ukrainian Ivan Redkach and Philadelphia's Tevin Farmer squared off. Farmer came out slick sticking the jab circling the ring as Redkach stalked keeping his distance. Working behind the jab Redkach pressed Farmer in round two as he dodged Redkach's heavy wild punches. Boxing away in round three Farmer dodged Redkach's wild punch attack. At the halfway point in round five Redkach pressed as Farmer continued to move around in the ring and hold, Redkach urged Farmer to stand and trade.
Past the halfway point Farmer looked relaxed letting his hands loose as Redkach appeared frustrated but continued to press however a low blow by the Philadelphia fighter in round eight forced referee Arthur Mercante Jr to take a point from Farmer. Redkach trickled blood from a small cut on his right eye as continued to press the slick Farmer. However in round nine following a solid straight left by Redkach, Mercante Jr. deducted a point from the Ukrainian for headbutting. The tenth and final round both traded away to begin the round as the fight was up for grabs, Redkach sensing the urgency chased and swung wildly as Farmer dipped and dodged finishing strong.
In the end the judges scored the bout 99-89, 98-90, and 98-90 as Tevin Farmer improves to 22-4-1, 5 KOs. Ivan Redkach goes to 19-2-1, 15 KO's.
Southern California based South Korean Min Wook Kim cored a first round knockout over Louis Cruz of the Bronx, New York in a scheduled eight round junior welterweight bout.
Kim improves to 16-1, 12 KO's.
Huntington Park, California's Jose "Gallo" Gomez made quick work of Josh Crepo of New Heaven, Connecticut in opening the action at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York in a scheduled six round featherweight bout.
Gomez stays undefeated at 8-0, 3 KO's with the win.
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla