As Frampton is ready to move up to 126 pounds on the back of his unification win over Scott Quigg, the Belfast man will be unable to complete mandatory duties for the IBF and WBA super bantamweight titles currently in his possession.
Shingo Wake and Guillermo Rigondeaux have both been informed that they will fight for those respective belts in the coming months, meaning Frampton will have no choice but to give up his championships.
That would almost certainly see the WBA push interim title holder Moises Flores forward to face Rigondeaux, whilst Wake would more than likely be pitted against IBF number three Rey Vargas – should both accept the challenges.
Santa Cruz v Frampton is slated to complete Showtime’s massive spring/summer schedule, possibly in July or August, and teams are said to be in negotiations for what will be a massive event either side of the Atlantic.
Mexican star Santa Cruz and Northern Ireland favourite Frampton boast impressive undefeated records and have 54 victories, along with 32 stoppages between them.
