AS THE JUDGES’ scores were announced and his world featherweight title slipped away from him, Carl Frampton stood and applauded.
Beaten for the first time in his pro career as Santa Cruz edged a majority decision, the Belfast fighter was gracious in defeat.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fighter and a promoter applaud a decision,” Showtime’s Jim Gray told Frampton as they spoke in the ring.
“It was a very tough fight,” the beaten champion said. “Some of the rounds were close. I feel Leo probably deserved it.”
In a nice touch, Frampton explained that he had planned to dedicate a win to Alejandro Gonzalez, his former opponent who was found dead in Mexico last month.
“Can I just say one thing? I want to apologise to the travelling support. The best man won on the night but I’m deeply sorry.
“What I wanted to do was dedicate this win to Alejandro Gonzalez but it wasn’t to be.
“I’m gutted, I’m gutted. (Santa Cruz) told me what he was going to do and sometimes, it felt like the brawler was outboxing the boxer.”
After two gripping contests with little to choose between them, both fighters immediately indicated that they would like another rematch to complete the trilogy.
“I hope we can do it again,” Frampton said. “It’s 1-1, we have to do it again.
“He was very clever, he used his reach, and I think he deserved it. I’m being honest, I think he deserved it, but it was a very good fight.
“I can perform slightly better than that. No excuses, I had a brilliant training camp, the better man won on the night, but let’s do it again.
“I hope Leo is a man of his word. He said if there was a third fight he’d come to Belfast. I hope he does.”
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