Carl Frampton vs Leo Santa Cruz: How Frampton brought a nation of Catholics and Protestants together to join his Jackal Army on the march to Las Vegas
Frampton fights Leo Santa Cruz this Saturday, with 4,000 supporters heading to the US
HE is arguably Britain's best pound for pound boxer - yet doesn't get half the recognition he deserves.
On Saturday, Carl Frampton will defend his WBO super featherweight world title at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, in a rematch against the supremely tough Leo Santa Cruz.
The Mexican is gunning for revenge after losing to Frampton on a majority decision back in July last year.
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Not only that, but it was Santa Cruz's first ever defeat. A defeat to a likeable lad who grew up in the humble loyalist territory of Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Maybe it's because he chooses to fight in the US and Northern Ireland rather than the UK. Or perhaps it's because you hear of his talents from the lips of his manager Barry McGuigan rather than from Frampton himself.
The truth is Frampton, or "The Jackal" as he is known by his legion of Northern Irish fans, has never really being taken into the hearts of the rest of the British public.
He is rightfully held in the highest regard by world boxing aficionados, with The Ring magazine naming him 2016 Fighter of the Year.
But his popularity in England at least was perhaps not helped by him defeating one of the nation's favourites in Scott Quigg in February last year. That should have been a chance to admire his skills, as well as his courage and heart.
And point of note, he also handed Quigg his first defeat in 33 contests.
Frampton only turned professional in 2009, and has had just 23 fights to date, all of them victories.
McGuigan has often hinted that Frampton finds it difficult to find people to fight him, and so it was often left to the governing bodies to get him the fights.
But McGuigan has been there every step of the way. From spotting him aged 19 as an amateur, the two have joined forces on a journey to the top.
And the two share a strong relationship outside of the ring too. Not least having both crossed the divide that split the very country they are from.
Catholic McGuigan married Protestant Sandra during the infamous Troubles in Belfast.
Frampton, a Protestant, is married to Christine, a Catholic. Frampton's boxing, much like his marriage, signals a new era for Belfast.
It's difficult to see what there is not to like with Frampton. Even in Belfast he is heralded for his achievements on both sides of the city.
In defeating Santa Cruz first time round he became the first Northern Irishman to win a world title in two weight divisions. That put him one-up over his manager and former featherweight champ McGuigan.
But it won't have come as any surprise, as McGuigan has always said that Frampton would be "even better than I was".
Frampton became world champion for the first time back in September 2014, securing the IBF super bantamweight belt when he defeated one of the legends of the sport in Kiko Martinez with a unanimous points decision.
But why be surprised? A year-and-a-half earlier he had become the only man to ever knock out that same opponent in his 35 fights to date.
So then it was time to conquer America, and get his name well and truly in the lights.
But once again "The Jackal" was forced to summon every ounce of heart and courage to survive after being knocked down TWICE in the opening round by Alejandro Gonzalez Jr in Texas.
It was the first time in his professional career that Frampton had fallen to the canvas. But showing the heart of a champion, he battled back, securing vital middle rounds, and triumphed on points.
Then came the Quigg fight. After months of wrangling and trash-talking (less by the pair and more by those on the outside), the fight was signed, sealed and ultimately delivered.
In Quigg's own back-yard of Manchester, Frampton secured a split decision and the WBA belt - the only shock was how it wasn't unanimous.
Frampton had silenced the partisan crowd, most of the noise came from those travelling from Belfast. Their softly-spoken hero had proved to the Isles that he was the best in the business.
The Santa Cruz victory saw Frampton add the WBA super featherweight title to his collection, and his place in the history books.
And now it's rematch time.
"The Jackal" defends his WBA world featherweight crown against Leo Santa Cruz at MGM Grand Las Vegas on Saturday night.
He said: “I’m excited. I’m relaxed as well, looking forward to the fight. I enjoyed the last fight.
“Both of us put in very, very good performances. I’m expecting a good fight, a tough fight, and one that’s very exciting for the fans.”
While this will undoubtedly be a stern test against a man desperate for revenge, the fighting pride of Northern Ireland is sure to do Great Britain proud once again.
More than 4,000 die-hard fans we'll be out in Vegas cheering on the champ, and now it's time we ALL got behind the Jackal once and for all.