Irish warrior Carl Frampton, now a two-weight world champion, arrived as a genuine star, maybe even a future superstar, with his thrilling FOTY candidate of a win over Leo Santa Cruz. The new WBA featherweight king overcame odds that were against him as he won in New York. Now, with so many big fight options open to him, “The Jackal” can reap the rewards of his success as he searches for more.
Who should Frampton fight next?
According to a news piece on RingTV.com, there was a rematch clause in the contract for the Santa Cruz fight. According to an “anonymous” source “close to the fight” there is a return clause Santa Cruz can push. Both men said after Saturday’s great fight how they would like to do it again, maybe in Belfast, so this rematch could be Frampton’s next fight – and who wouldn’t want to see it?
Another possible rematch for Frampton is one with Scott Quigg, who he out-pointed in a far less thrilling affair back in February. Quigg seems desperate for a shot at revenge and if he’s happy to follow Frampton in a move up in weight, this one could happen; maybe next year if it’s not the next fight for Frampton.
IBF 126-pound champ Lee Selby wasted no time in calling out Frampton. A skilled operator who has been called “The Welsh Mayweather,” Selby believes he has the necessary skills to outbox and defeat Frampton. This fight would certainly prove interesting and for Frampton it would offer him the chance of winning another belt in his growing collection.
Gary Russell Junior, another slick boxer, another southpaw, and the reigning WBC featherweight champ, has also called Frampton out for a unification showdown. This fight would be a good option for Frampton’s next bout in America, whether it’s next or next year.
One man Frampton doesn’t seem at all interested in facing is Guillermo Rigondeaux, the avoided Cuban who holds the 122-pound belt that Frampton opted to give up rather than get it on with the southpaw who shares his “Jackal” nickname. Rigondeaux took to Twitter in a seemingly futile attempt, another one, at luring Frampton into a fight with him, but no way is Team-Frampton interested.
Simply put, there are far more winnable, more financially rewarding fights out there for Frampton. My pick for Irish boxing’s biggest star would be the rematch with Santa Cruz.
