Monday 29 February 2016 15:47, UK
Carl Frampton looks ready to step up to featherweight after challenging WBA Super world champion Leo Santa Cruz.
'The Jackal' added the WBA super-bantamweight crown to his IBF title on Saturday night when he was awarded a split decision over Scott Quigg at a packed out Manchester Arena.
In the immediate aftermath of the fight, Frampton mentioned Santa Cruz and Wales' IBF world featherweight champion Lee Selby as possible opponents and there remains a chance he'll remain at 122lbs to take on former divisional kingpin Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Well done to Leo Santa Cruz and commiserations to my friend Kiko Martinez. Fancy a summer showdown @leosantacruz2? I'm ready.
The Mexican-born Santa Cruz (32-0-1-KO18), who defended his title against former Frampton victim Kiko Martinez via fifth-round stoppage at the weekend and then said: "Since Frampton won, if he's ready to go up in weight, I'm ready for him. I challenge him to a fight whenever he's ready."
On Monday morning, the Northern Irishman replied via his social media page, stating: "Well done to Leo Santa Cruz and commiserations to my friend Kiko Martinez. Fancy a summer showdown @leosantacruz2? I'm ready."
Santa Cruz, who lives in California, is a former world super-bantamweight champion himself but stepped up a weight-class and beat compatriot Abner Mares for the vacant WBA Super featherweight strap in August 2015.
