Leo Santa Cruz to snub Carl Frampton after setting sights on Scott Quigg unification



Leo Santa Cruz has revealed that he expects to face Scott Quigg in a huge unification fight this summer before a showdown with Carl Frampton before the end of the year.

There has been much speculation over whether Santa Cruz, the WBC super-bantamweight champion, will look to unify the belts or face mandatory challenger Frampton, who is rated No 1 by the WBC after knocking out Hugo Cazares in two rounds in Belfast in April.

But the California-based Mexican says he wants to take Quigg's WBA regular strap in July meaning Frampton will have to wait at least another six months before he gets a shot at the world title.

VIDEO: Leo Santa Cruz wants Scott Quigg unification fight

Choices: Leo Santa Cruz (right) looks set to face Scott Quigg in a unification fight later this year Still champion: Santa Cruz successfully defended his WBC super-bantamweight title against Cristian Mijares

Santa Cruz, 25, was in Las Vegas over the weekend to take in Floyd Mayweather's victory over Marcos Maidana on Saturday but returned to full training on Monday with that showdown with Bury's Quigg set firmly in his sights.

When asked which of Britain's two leading 122 pounders he will cross paths with first, he revealed to Sportsmail: 'I think it is the unification.

' Right now there is an opportunity to win another belt so hopefully we get that fight, get the win, unify the belts and then fight against Frampton.

' I think I will fight Scott Quigg before Carl Frampton, he has the belt and Frampton doesn't have one right now. It's a better opportunity against Scott.

Unification: Quigg (left) looked impressive in stopping Tshifhiwa Munyai in Manchester last month One of the best: Quigg also defended his WBA super-bantamweight title against Diego Silva last November

' We are hoping to have that fight in July-August time and then by December we want to fight Frampton.'

Quigg impressed on his last outing, stopping tough Tshifhiwa Munyai to retain his title in Manchester last month, in a fight which had been billed as a potential banana skin for the Matchroom star.

Santa Cruz added: 'I haven't had a chance to see the Munyai fight yet, but I will go and watch the tape and assess it.

' I think he has everything to be a good fighter but we will train so hard for this fight, we can't lose this one.'

Victory against Munyai came on an enthralling night of boxing at the Manchester Arena and Quigg's trainer, Joe Gallagher, suggested his young charge has the potential to become the country's new Ricky Hatton.

The Hitman was famous the world over for his travelling army of fans, who followed him across the pond for a series of huge fights in America.

In the running: Santa Cruz could also fight Carl Frampton (right) this year as the Belfast man continues to impress

Fans' favourite: Frampton has earned a reputation as an entertaining fighter but now wants a world title

And, if Santa Cruz has his way, Quigg will be forced to travel Stateside, possibly to Las Vegas, in the unification clash.

Santa Cruz said: 'For me I don't really care where I fight. If there's a better opportunity over there – or the promoter and manager want to take me over there I will do it but honestly I would prefer it to be here.

' I think we have a lot of fans over here, a lot of people follow me so I think we have a good opportunity to make the fight over here. I'm confident my promoters Golden Boy will do that.'

But, while Quigg is the one who holds the belt, Santa Cruz reckons Frampton is the better of the two.



He explained: 'Scott Quigg has the better record, he has had more fights, but I think Carl Frampton is stronger and with more attributes. I think Frampton will be a stronger fighter.

' I think he has a great right hand, a strong fighter who comes forward with good power. He is like a Mexican fighter when he comes forward and goes to war. He never backs down.

Big following: Quigg is popular in Manchester

If it was up to me I would have no problem fighting him next but hopefully we get the unification against Scott Quigg, get the win and then fight Frampton after that for sure.

' They're both great fighters, undefeated, look strong and are good punchers too. They come forward kind of like my style so I think we will have some great wars and put on great fights for the fans.'

Santa Cruz is currently 27-0 with one draw and 15 knock-outs and, along with Guillermo Rigondeaux, is considered the man to beat at super-bantamweight.

But, along with the two Brits and IBF king Kiko Martinez, the unassuming 25-year-old thinks this is a 'golden era' for the division.

' It's incredible at the moment,' he said.'“Quigg, Frampton, Kiko Martinez, Rigondeaux and then me. Right there, we've got one of the best divisions around. We please the fans, have a war, we are one of the strongest right now.

' It's a golden era for the super bantamweights at the moment. Traditionally it has been hard for guys like us to make big amount of money and adulation. But right now we have the opportunity to do that so I'm ready to take advantage of it – the others should be too.'



