Carl Frampton ended Northern Ireland's long wait for another boxing world champion on a night to savour in Belfast as he pounded Kiko Martinez to swipe away the Spaniard's IBF super-bantamweight title. The 27-year-old, fighting in his home city, claimed an overwhelmingly unanimous verdict, the judges' scorecards showing two verdicts of 119-108 and one of 118-111.

Not since Wayne McCullough made a second successful defence of his WBC bantamweight title in 1996 has Northern Ireland been able to celebrate a global boxing title fight victory.

Unbeaten Frampton, managed and promoted by former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, had a crowd of 16,000 roaring him on at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast. McGuigan was often off his feet, showing almost as much relish for the occasion as Frampton was displaying.

Next for Frampton could be lucrative unification bouts with WBC champion Leo Santa Cruz or British rival and regular WBA titlist Scott Quigg.

Frampton thanked McGuigan and dedicated the victory to his grandfather, who died recently.

"That was for my granda," he said on Box Nation. "I love you."

And Frampton made it clear who he wants for his next ring outing, saying: "The only man I want to fight is Scott Quigg.

"I'll fight him in Manchester, I'll fight him anywhere, but we've got options."

The new champion gave Martinez credit for making a contest of it for a while, saying: "He was so dangerous. He's a hard puncher.

"I haven't seen my face yet but it feels lumpy.

"I've never respected a fighter as much in my life. What a fighter and what a worthy world champion."

McGuigan, whose son Shane was savouring success as the winning trainer, generously said of Frampton: "He's twice the fighter I was. He's going to be something really special."

A national hero from his fighting days, McGuigan said a fight for Frampton against Santa Cruz would offer "real gravitas".

Frampton added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I feel a bit emotional. It's been a long time coming.

"It's been a hard road and there's been ups and downs.

"I'm glad for everyone who has ever supported me and I intend to hold onto it for a very long time."