There were about 9,000 people in Brooklyn on Saturday night to witness Carl Frampton make history.
Looks like the Irish created a boss Atmosphere last night! "Frampton's on fire" 👊👊 #boxingheads #FramptonSantaCruz pic.twitter.com/6ewJ3Glnwl
— KLOPP (@WarriorLFC) July 31, 2016
Over 1,200 were believed to have travelled from Ireland, but by all accounts, about 8,000 spectators present wanted Frampton to win. In nearly every media report afterwards, the noise of the crowd was one of the first things mentioned.
Outside the @barclayscenter the Army are on form! NYC have never witnessed anything like it!! #FramptonSantaCruz pic.twitter.com/877wJ36BXJ
— Chris Suitor GGG - SuitorBros (@SuitorBrothers) July 31, 2016
It continues a fantastic 12 months for Irish fans, after our amazing showing at the Rugby World Cup, UFC 194, and the Euros. It was so good in fact, that Santa Cruz thinks it made the difference in how the fight was scored:
Santa Cruz says crowd affected decision: "Every little punch, they cheered for him. Maybe [somewhere else] it wouldve been a draw" #boxing
— Ryan Maquiñana (@RMaq28) July 31, 2016
A reminder that the fight was 3,200 miles away from Frampton's homeland. https://t.co/RuDwajPFwW
— Gavan Casey (@GavanCasey) July 31, 2016
While the Mexican's comments on the crowd, and whether the decision would have been different elsewhere seem a tad petty, Santa Cruz couldn't have been more gracious and respectful after his maiden defeat:
It's hard to get your first loss, but now we'll go back to the gym, we'll get the rematch and we'll win, and that loss will mean nothing. I want to have a rematch in Los Angeles, but I'll go to Belfast, too.
There was a lot of respect between the pair, both before and after the fight:
The pair embraced, and Santa Cruz said he'll go to Belfast or wherever Frampton wants for a rematch.
Both fighters @RealCFrampton & @leosantacruz2 embrace at the post-fight presser pic.twitter.com/J989fpWsJx
— BoxNation (@boxnationtv) July 31, 2016
Nothing but respect for @RealCFrampton. He’s a true champ & gave me one hell of a fight. Would love to do it again. pic.twitter.com/lTQMYMNfEB
— Leo Santa Cruz (@leosantacruz2) July 31, 2016
Frampton was similarly respectful in his brilliant post-fight interview, and
Hopefully I don't have to bay a paint for the next 20 years.
