Frampton, who raised his record to 23-0, now has manifold options in his upcoming fights. The Mexican called for an immediate rematch and a Santa Cruz rematch on home soil would be thrilling, just as a unification with IBF champion and Welshman Lee Selby. would be. But Frampton is blessed with great opponents and indeed style match-ups. There is also Gary Russell Jnr, who holds the WBC crown. All three are viable with few promotional wrangles likely.  "I don't think there's a (Santa Cruz) rematch clause in place, but it would be a great fight, one I'd be happy to do," he said. "I'd love to bring him over to Belfast," explained Frampton. "We could sell out a stadium, but we'd need the right time of year. Lee Selby is a great fighter, someone I respect and one of the best UK fighters. That's a fight that interests me, there's Gary Russell, all these guys. I just want to be involved in big fights, memorable fights. I don't need to be disrespectful to guys, I just want to get on with it." He certainly did in New York, up to the defining fight of his career, and setting up an even bigger contest later this year.  Selby welcomed a unification fight on Sunday. He said: "“I was really impressed with Frampton because I thought he would box on the back foot and use his defensive skills, but in fairness to him he came out fighting and showed he can mix it up,” said Selby. “Against Scott Quigg earlier this year Frampton was very cautious but not this time. He showed he is versatile, always the sign of a really world class fighter. He boxed on the front foot and I thought Santa Cruz was surprised by that, I certainly was.  “Now it’s time to bring it on – Cardiff or Belfast, I’ll fight Frampton anywhere, it doesn’t bother me. In Cardiff you can get more people in as they’ve got a roof at the Millennium Stadium and the weather could be bad later this year, but I’ll go to Belfast if the deal is right. I honestly don’t care. I’m a class fighter, he is too, it should make for a cracking fight. Let’s see who is the best in Britain at featherweight."  Given the brilliance of this fight, it now begs for a stadium fight, which would have to wait until next summer and could conceivably be held at Windsor Park, Belfast with 60,000 fans.  A highly likely fight if McGuigan and Frampton fancy the match-up for their man. Welshman Selby is the naturally bigger man, but the styles would make for a brilliant contest. This could be made indoors, in Belfast, or if Frampton would travel, perhaps even the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.  Russell, 27-1, is another exciting fight, with the American's blistering hand speed. His only loss was to double Olympic champion Vasyl Lomanchenko, another prospect for Frampton as an opponent.  Double Olympic and world amateur champion from Ukraine who won a world featherweight title (WBO), in only his third professional fight. Currently, Lomachenko is 6-1 in his career having also won a super-featherweight crown.
As the judges' scores were tantalisingly read out by MC Jimmy Lennon  Jr from the New York venue for Northern Irishman Carl Frampton's  majority points victory over champion Leo Santa Cruz in which he  claimed the World Boxing Association featherweight title, mentor and  manager Barry McGuigan's head was bowed in prayer on the ring apron.