Friday 27 January 2017 08:11, UK
Carl Frampton has told Leo Santa Cruz to forget about retiring if he loses their rematch in Las Vegas this weekend.
Unbeaten Frampton is confident of justifying last year's multiple 'fighter of the year' awards by securing a second straight win over Santa Cruz in the early hours of Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
The Mexican has talked about quitting at the age of 28 if he fails to regain the WBA featherweight title at the MGM Grand and tee up the possibility of a defining third meeting.
But Frampton, speaking to Sky Sports News HQ shortly after the final pre-fight press conference, said: "He [Santa Cruz] doesn't need to speak about that, he's still a young guy.
Psychologically I already have the edge. I've beaten him and I've hurt him, something he didn't do to me in the first fight.
"I believe myself to be a decent fighter so he doesn't need to retire if he takes a loss again to someone like me!"
The fighters struck their usual respectful tone as they addressed the media, Santa Cruz suggesting he might even temper his crowd-pleasing approach to counter his opponent's "great skills".
Frampton still expects the challenger to "come out swinging", though, and said: "His pride's on the line here.
"I think it's going to take up where it left off. It's going to be an outstanding fight - with our styles it can't be anything different. If we fought 10 times it's always going to be good, but I think I'll get the win again, I'm very confident.
"Psychologically I already have the edge. I've beaten him and I've hurt him, something he didn't do to me in the first fight."
Watch Carl Frampton's rematch against Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas, live on Sky Sports 1, from 1am on Sunday January 29.
