Carl Frampton looking ahead to more massive showdowns as rivals lie in wait

Frampton oozed class as he saw off Leo Santa Cruz on points after 12 action-packed rounds at the Barclays Center.

The victory has put Frampton into the driving seat in the division – with fights with Lee Selby and Gary Russell Jnr being a possibility as well as a rematch with Santa Cruz.

‘The Jackal’ now believes that big fights are on the horizon as he celebrates his win in ‘The Big Apple’.

“I have loads of options now. Lee Selby was at the fight on Saturday night and that would be a huge fight for me and it would be huge in the UK.

“A rematch with Santa Cruz would also be huge and would sell well.

“I have said all along that I want to be involved in huge fights and that is still the case,” he added.

And Frampton insists he does not mind who he faces in his first defence of his WBA crown.

“I am happy to face anyone and I want to be involved in big fights, against big names and be in exciting fights,” he said.

“I am approaching 30 and I am not the youngest guy in the world now so I want big fights and I want security for my family afterwards.

“I want the big fights that are financially rewarding.”

And Frampton is now getting used to the idea of being a two-weight world champion.

“I am proud to be the first fighter from Northern Ireland to be a two weight world champion and I am proud to be the second man from Ireland – after Steve Collins – to have done this.” he added.

“I have made a wee bit of history and that is a nice feeling.”