Uncommon friendship of Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton is what boxing is all about

LAS VEGAS - The photo stuck in my mind last night, and reminded me once again what it is that is so wonderful about the sport of boxing.

It's two young guys from distinctly different backgrounds and opposite corners of the globe pounding on each other for 12 brutal rounds, each trying to gain the upper hand, each trying to out-think the other and ultimately knock each other out.

And then smiling and embracing afterwards like brothers in arms. The photo by Esther Lin of Showtime says it all.

This might be the biggest takeaway from spending four days observing the uncommon friendship that has grown out of the Leo Santa Cruz-Carl Frampton rivalry. It has been something to behold - a Mexican from Los Angeles and an Irishman from Belfast with little in common but a love of perhaps the toughest sport on the planet, and a love of family.

A powerful combination. It's a friendship that you might find in any other sport, or walk of life, but is different because of how these men - and women - make their living.

During their final press conference on Thursday, Frampton and Santa Cruz both brought up family. They might not understand that much about each other's culture, but they know good people when they see them. Frampton and Santa Cruz are good people.

"Both of us fight for our families," Frampton said. "That's really all the motivation you need. Two young men with young kids who just want to give their children a better life. Those are the ingredients for a top quality contest."

Santa Cruz echoed the sentiment.

"Carl is a great fighter with great skills. He's very respectful and I know that he does this for his family, too," he said. "When you do this for your family, you do it with heart and hunger and you leave everything in the ring."

On Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, both men left everything in the ring. This time it was Santa Cruz who prevailed and won back the WBA featherweight title he lost to Frampton last July. Twenty four grueling rounds of punishment, one win apiece and one lasting friendship.

At the post-fight press conference, Frampton, his face showing the toll of 36 minutes of fierce hand-to-hand combat, was talking about wanting to have the third fight of the trilogy in his hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he has not fought in two years.

Only half jokingly, Frampton said, "Leo can come and stay at my house if he wants, and we can get it on for a third time."

The roomful of reporters cracked up, but Ringstar promoter Richard Schaefer said, "By the way, I'm sure he really meant that Leo could stay with him. He didn't just say that. That's the kind of men they are. They really respect each other."

And genuinely like each other as well. Maybe it's because both come from humble beginnings and found their commonality in the squared circle. Maybe they were bullied as kids and found salvation in the gym, who knows?

"You know, I respect anyone I fight, and I'm always going to do that," Frampton has said. "But Leo and I, we've definitely shown a lot of respect for each other. He's a nice guy, and I think I'm a pretty nice guy.

"When you look at what we do, there's no (B.S.), no machoism. When we get in the ring, we fight and give it everything we've got to do what it takes to win. But I'm sure we'll shake hands at the end of the fight again."

Trash talk was conspicuous by its absence in this promotion, but not missed.

Frampton's manager, Hall of Famer Barry McGuigan, who has been around the sport for decades, said last week, "For someone who's seen the arrogance around these kids in every sport, it's a breath of fresh air to see guys have respect for one another."

When Santa Cruz hinted last week that he might retire if he lost to Frampton again, The Irishman said, "I don't think he should do that. If you lose to a top quality fighter in competitive fights, there's no need to talk about retirement. He's a nice guy and I like him a lot."

Then he went right to the bottom line. "But this is a business and if I see any chance to take him out and get the job done, I'm going to take it."

Two men, one goal and, hopefully, a lasting friendship.

Maybe that's why they call it the Sweet Science.

(Photo of Carl Frampton, left, and Leo Santa Cruz, about to embrace after their WBA featherweight title fight Saturday by Esther Lin, Showtime)