Santa Cruz And Frampton Collide In Unification Battle

Undefeated featherweight world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (32-0-1, 18 KOs) and fellow unbeaten Irish star Carl “The Jackal” Frampton (22-0, 14 KOs) will meet with a world title and two perfect records at stake on Saturday, July 30 in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions event from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^®telecast begins live on SHOWTIME^® at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Santa Cruz and Frampton collide in a battle of world champions who mix dizzying speed with incredible output that produces exciting fight after exciting fight. This fight will be the fifth featherweight world title fight presented by SHOWTIME in 2016. Frampton, a unified world champion at 122 pounds, a weight class Santa Cruz previously held a title at, will move up a notch in weight and challenge at 126 pounds.

"I’ve never been to New York before and I’m looking forward to this big opportunity to put on a show for new fans in a new city,” said Santa Cruz. “I always fight for the fans and I’m excited to be able to do that somewhere I haven’t been before. Frampton is a good fighter. He has power and skills and he moves when he has to, but he has a weak chin. When he gets caught with a good punch, he goes down. He doesn’t like pressure and I have that. I’m looking forward to putting on an exciting show at Barclays Center and I hope I leave with lots of new fans."

“I am in terrific shape, I feel fantastic in the gym and I am ready for the biggest fight of my career,” said Frampton. “On July 30 I will become a two weight world champion. I respect Leo Santa Cruz, he is a great fighter and person, but I am preparing meticulously to overcome any challenge he brings on July 30. I cannot wait to hear the crowd at Barclays Center. It is my first time boxing in New York, where some of the greatest fights have taken place. I know there will be a large number of fans traveling from the UK and Ireland but there is also a huge Irish-American audience and I am eager to show them all what I can do. Get your tickets now, it’s going to be a great fight!”

“Santa Cruz vs. Frampton is not only the best fight that can be made in the featherweight division, it truly is one of the most anticipated fights in all of boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Boxing fans can expect nonstop action in this can’t-miss matchup of aggressive styles. There’s no better way for Santa Cruz and Frampton to make their New York debuts than at Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, against each other.”

“The competitive matchup of Santa Cruz vs. Frampton shines an international spotlight on BROOKLYN BOXING at Barclays Center,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “We’re especially excited to host two of the best featherweight boxers in the sport today as they fight in New York for the first time.”