Carl Frampton's decision to move to featherweight is a bold one.
'The Jackal' moves up to 126 lbs to take on WBA (Super) world featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz in New York this weekend and, as a 2/1 underdog, Frampton could do with every little advantage available to him against the bigger, stronger man.
That edge could well be afforded to him in the form of a familiar face sat ringside as fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy is hopeful of attending the fight at the Barclays Centre.
McIlroy's weekend of work will be taking place at the Baltusrol Golf Club in nearby New Jersey and he is optimistic that he'll get to watch the Belfast fighter in action.
"If everything goes to plan I will be able to get to the Barclays Centre to cheer him on," McIlroy told the
Belfast Telegraph.
"I've never been to one of his fights before so hopefully I'll have a late tee time on Sunday."
Frampton would welcome the presence of the world number 4 as he has reiterated his desire to continue delivering results for Northern Ireland after the national team surpassed all expectations at Euro 2016 this summer.
"It will be a big boost to have Rory McIlroy in the crowd supporting me. He's achieved a lot for Northern Irish sport and to have him behind me when I become the country's first two-weight world champion is a huge motivation," Frampton told
BoxNation.
"It will be the first time he's seeing me fight live and it's my toughest fight so far but I'm going out there to impress and win.
"I'm going to build on the great momentum in Northern Ireland at the moment, especially after our success in the Euros, and having the support of other successful sports people and the fans will take me to another level on Saturday night. I can't wait."
