Santa Cruz on the backburner as Gutierrez is up next for Frampton

Leo Santa Cruz’s shadow hung over the formal launch for Carl Frampton’s ring return yesterday, but it would be wrong to suggest that the Belfast ‘Jackal’ has a one-track mind in terms of his fighting future.

Having suffered his first defeat of his 24-fight career — and the loss of his WBA world featherweight title — to Santa Cruz in their Las Vegas rematch last January, two-weight world champion Frampton openly admits that his Mexican-American nemesis is “the one I want more than anyone”.

However, more boxing careers have been broken due to procrastination than the ones built on blind optimism, so the 30-year-old was eager not to allow ring rust to gather while he waits on a third bout with Santa Cruz.