Santa Cruz top of McGuigan’s Frampton wish list

THE ‘only’ one Carl Frampton wants next is Scott Quigg, but mentor and CEO of Cyclone Promotions has Leo Santa Cruz top of his wish list.

A host of fighters have expressed an interest in fighting the new IBF World Champion since he defeated Kiko Martinez in Belfast on Saturday night, but Frampton seems intent of putting the long running Quigg saga to bed.

McGuigan, however, has one eye on the States and seems to be favouring a fight that could help Frampton crack America.

Chris Avolas is the mandatory challenger and is hoping to fight the Belfast star within 90 days, but Irish boxing legend McGuigan revealed his wish list post fight on Saturday.

“The wish list for Carl’s next opponent is Santa Cruz No.1, Quigg No.2, Abner Mares No.3 and then Johnny Gonzalez,” said the former World champion.

Frampton’s mentor is open to the Quigg fight, but stresses Frampton is the draw and is adamant any deal has to reflect that.

 “Quigg has to fight under our terms. We hold the draw, we have the magnet and the legitimate version of the world title. Quigg can’t draw 800 people to Bury but Carl can draw 16,000 in Belfast on a freezing cold night,” he added before discussing the mandatory.

“We may have to face mandatory challenger Chris Avalos but he (Carl) hurt his left hand and we will have to see if it’s broken. But a fight with WBC champion Leo Santa Cruz is the fight that carries gravitas.”

But one elite super-bantamweight McGuigan says is not on Frampton’s radar is classy Cuban Guilermo Rigondeaux, who holds the WBO and WBA full versions of the world title and is regarded as the division’s No.1.

The Gary Hyde managed fighter is keen to fight any of the super bantamweight big names, but is being billed by opponent’s management as high risk low reward.

 “We’re not interested in Rigondeaux. He makes no money and no brings no TV. He can’t draw 500 Cubans in Miami. This is a business. Don’t get me wrong, he’s fabulous but he’s awkward and negative.”