By Steve Kim

There have been conflicting reports as to whether there is an immediate rematch clause between Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz. This past weekend at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York, Frampton captured the WBA featherweight crown via majority decision in what was one of the better fights of 2016.

So the question is: does Santa Cruz have the contractual right to demand a return bout?

Stephen Espinoza, the head of Showtime Sports (which broadcast this fight) admits - "I've heard conflicting reports, as well, the Santa Cruz side seems to say there is and the Frampton side seems to to say there isn't. I'm not sure where the truth lies but I do know there is interest and enthusiasm for the rematch on both sides. So it may turn out to be a moot issue."

On this telecast both IBF belt-holder Lee Selby and Gary Russell Jr, the WBC titlist, were interviewed by Showtime. Espinoza tells BoxingScene.com - "The hope and the thought of putting them on the broadcast together is to start having people thinking about or anticipating a Russell-Selby match. I know Selby has also expressed interest in a Frampton fight - which would be big in the UK.

It's clear that there is a lot of possibilities in the featherweight division and Showtime is certainly interested in it.

"The goal here with having so many of the core guys as titlists in this division is to try to get to a unification relatively soon,"stated Espinoza. "So we've got on that telecast four title-holders, it shouldn't be that difficult in the next six-to-nine months to get to a total unification of the division."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com