The last time Belfast's former IBF and WBA World super-bantamweight world champion fought up at featherweight, he edged upcoming Olympian David Oliver Joyce in a pulsating Irish Senior final back in 2009.
Carl Frampton aims to become Ireland's first male two-weight world champion since Steve Collins when he trades leather with undefeated Californian Leo Santa Cruz on Saturday night in New York, where the latter's WBA World featherweight strap will be on the line.
The 29-year-old 'Jackal', 22-0 with 14 knockouts, faces an uphill battle versus the rangy and dangerous Santa Cruz (32-0-1, 18KOs), who annihilated whatever was left of two-time Frampton victim and former world champ Kiko Martinez in his last outing.
After weeks of uncertainty - and frustration within both Irish and British boxing circles - the fight, which takes place on July 30th at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, has finally found a home in television terms.
How To Watch Frampton Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz vs Frampton has been snapped up by UK subscription boxing channel BoxNation, which Irish fight fans can subscribe to here.
There had been talk that Eir Sport would make a late move for the rights to show one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes in Irish boxing history, but Frank Warren's 24-hour boxing channel has now officially added the showdown to its schedule.
The move has been met warmly by Irish boxing fans - most of whom, by now, subscribe to the excellent network - but is perhaps bad news for the casual sports fan who doesn't wish to sign up for €15 per month. Mind you, given the nature of the fight, it's worth signing up for this fight alone - even if only for one month. 15 bob is cheaper than any Sky pay-per-view, after all, and one of our own is partaking in a career-defining scrap with a formidable opponent.
NEW FIGHT: Frampton v Santa Cruz for the WBA Super World Featherweight Title on #BoxNation 💥 https://t.co/k0it2mhoP5 pic.twitter.com/EYqipNripL
— BoxNation (@boxnationtv) July 21, 2016
Frampton v Santa Cruz confirmed for BoxNation in the UK and Ireland.https://t.co/hwiGnv4mdo
— Cyclone Promotions (@CyclonePromo) July 21, 2016
Frampton vs Santa Cruz to be shown on @boxnationtv. Thank God for Boxnation, put on some great overseas fights.
— Ouney (@Ouney86) July 21, 2016
Thank the Lord #SantaCruzFrampton is on BoxNation and not dragged into Premier Sports etc.
That's made my day!! pic.twitter.com/NRv2UFQ7K0— BOXING IRELAND (@LoveIrishBoxing) July 21, 2016
