CARL FRAMPTON wrote his name into the history books with a dazzling display before admitting: I could have made it easier for myself.
Frampton, 29, toppled WBA featherweight king Leo Santa Cruz on Saturday night to became Northern Ireland’s first two-weight world champion.
Boxing in front of 9,062 passionate fans at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Belfast’s Jackal produced the fight of his life as he claimed a majority decision.
He rocked the previously undefeated Mexican in the second round and backed up his bold pre-fight prediction that he would slow down a fighter renowned as a relentless puncher.
The former WBA and IBF super-bantamweight title-holder, undefeated in 23 fights, said: “I’ve just made history. I’m the only ever Northern Irishman to win world titles in two different weight divisions.
“I’ve beaten an unbelievable fighter in Santa Cruz, a three-weight world champion, and it was the toughest fight of my career.
“I could have made it easier on myself. I fought with my heart rather than my head sometimes, but I think people will remember that fight for a very long time.
“When I get home, I think it will hit me a bit more. I’m just a normal working-class guy who can fight a wee bit and that’s it.”
The duo produced 12 pulsating rounds of action and could end up doing it again next summer, with Windsor Park a potential venue.
Frampton wants the big fights to keep coming and a unification showdown with IBF kingpin Lee Selby, 29, is an option before the end of the year.
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He added: “Selby is a great fighter. He’s someone I respect very much and I’ve been singing his praises for a very, very long time. I just want to be involved in big, memorable fights against top-class guys.
“I have a wife and two young kids and I want to be financially rewarded. It’s a short career and I’m 29 — I want to live a comfortable life after boxing.
“I’m not the youngest guy anymore and I want big fights. I want to sell out arenas and have a wee bit of security for my family.”
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