CARL Frampton may have to join the queue to get a crack at WBC super-bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz after Scott Quigg officially joined the race last Saturday night.
Quigg hammered Tshifhiwa Munyai by second round TKO at the Phones 4u Arena in Manchester and afterwards his promoter Eddie Hearn announced that he was chasing a unification fight with either Santa Cruz or IBF champ Kiko Martinez.
Frampton became mandatory contender for the WBC when he
beat Hugo Cazares three weeks ago, but Santa Cruz's next defence is a voluntary meaning Quigg's camp could cut in and ruin Barry McGuigan's plans.
"The plan is to unify the division," Hearn said after Quigg moved to 28-2-0 with his stunning win.
"I spoke to Golden Boy. We want Leo Santa Cruz or Kiko Martinez. Of course, the Frampton fight is the one that anyone wants, but they're not forthcoming.
"It takes two to tango, but for now the plan is Leo Santa Cruz, and Kiko Martinez if he overcomes (Hozumi) Hasegawa.
"Scott Quigg (left) is razor sharp, and I believe he will unify the division. Well, it's a unification fight [for Santa Cruz]. He's not due a mandatory. Carl is the mandatory, but it's nothing against him. We have plans to unify the division, and the Santa Cruz fight is a massive fight.
"Like I've said, we started talks this week [with Santa Cruz's promoters at Golden Boy]. We'll continue those talks next week, and the plan is to unify the division. We can have some massive fights in Manchester with Scott Quigg."
Frampton is the top-ranked challenger with WBC and, all things being equal, it's his turn and he should get a deserved shot at Santa Cruz. But money talks and Hearn, with deep pockets and a Sky TV deal, will be doing all he can to put Quigg in his place.