The Irishman returned to the ring for the first time in 10 months last night and he put on a thrilling fight to beat Mexcian Horacio Garcia by a unanimous points decision 98-93, 97-93 and 96-93.
Frampton now has his sights set on a trilogy with WBA (super) featherweight title holder Santa Cruz at Belfast’s Windsor Park – or IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby.
The 30-year-old had not fought since his only career defeat to Santa Cruz in January.
But now he claims he is feeling as strong as ever and desperate to redeem himself as a world champion.
“I wanted a tough fight and I’m ready for the big boys,” Frampton said after beating Garcia.
“There are a few boys tied up at the minute.
“Santa Cruz and (Abner) Mares are probably going to fight in the spring.
“(Josh) Warrington and Lee Selby are probably going to fight in the spring so If I have to wait around for a fight and get one in Windsor Park in the summer then that’s what I want.”
Frampton’s comeback fight against Garcia went the entire distance against all the odds.
And the former WBA champion admitted that his opponent was much tougher than even he anticipated.
“He is a good guy,” Frampton added.
“I wanted a tough fight, I did’t want anything to be too easy coming back but that has got the rust off. The cobwebs are gone and now I want one of the big boys.
“I let my team decide. I will have a lot of input.
“I had pretty much all the input in that opponent and maybe I’ll let the team decide who I fight next from now on.”