Carl Frampton enters top 10 pound-for-pound rankings after claiming featherweight gold

Carl Frampton's historic victory on Saturday night has officially been recognised by the bible of boxing.

After upsetting Mexico's Leo Santa Cruz in New York's Barclays Centre, the new WBA featherweight champion has entered the pound-for-pound discussion, as he has been entered in tenth spot on The Ring's official ranking of the best fighters in the world. Frampton took a majority decision over Santa Cruz as he began claiming rounds early at the weekend and didn't allow his opponent a clear path back into the fight. 'The Jackal' is now ranked behind the WBC bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanaka and 'Canelo' Alvarez. The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board have also marked Frampton's win by registering him in seventh spot on their top 10 pound-for-pound rankings, actually replacing Alvarez on the list which is no mean feat at all. The latest TBRB update reads as follows.

"Carl Frampton climbs four pounds from Jr. featherweight to Featherweight and applies advanced science to defeat the number-one volume puncher in the sport –Leo Santa Cruz. Volume punchers are never easy to deal with, especially one with stamina to spare like Santa Cruz. The best among them don’t give you a chance to think, never mind breathe. With this win, Frampton overcame his toughest opponent to date, preserved his undefeated record, and enters at the top of his new division. Santa Cruz is bumped down to #5 with Frampton’s entry’s; his record is no longer perfect, but in a combat sport like boxing that usually only means he accepts real challenges. "P4P: Frampton also caused a lively debate for our P4P List as well. A consensus on the board agreed that he should enter over a few on the list whose grand accomplishments are retreating too far in the past. Frampton is now #7."

The reputation of the undefeated Belfast fighter is only going from strength to strength on the world stage. Listen to our GAA podcast with Colm Parkinson. Click here to subscribe on iTunes. https://soundcloud.com/sportsjoe-gaa-hour/we-join-the-celebrations-on-the-tipp-bus-and-paul-galvin-on-kerry