Carl Frampton ready for shot at history in New York

Election season may be dominating every minute of the relentless news cycle on this side of the Atlantic but Carl Frampton has come stateside looking for a different kind of Big Mo.

The Belfast world champion is eager to provide added momentum to a rolling hot summer of Irish sporting success when he takes on Leo Santa Cruz in Brooklyn tomorrow night. He has a chance to become a two-weight world champion. History and unprecedented riches are on offer in the WBA super featherweight showdown too.

But on the heels of the European Championship exploits of both of the island’s football teams, and before close friends Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan lead Ireland’s Olympic charge in Rio de Janeiro, Frampton wants to keep things cooking along the glory trail. “I think it’s going to be huge — 2016 could really go down as a big year in Irish sporting history,” said the 29-year-old. “With both teams, Northern Ireland and the Republic doing so well in the Euros. I’ve already unified a division this year when I beat [Scott] Quigg and I’m going to beat Santa Cruz and we’re hoping to pick up a few medals with the boys at the Olympic Games. It’s going to be a huge year, 2016. I feel it’s going to go down as one of the greatest years.”