Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

BELFAST, Northern Ireland – Carl Frampton sent the partisan crowd in the sold out purpose-built arena in the Titanic District here into raptures on Saturday night by capturing the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight title from Kiko Martinez in a thrilling, brutal encounter.

Frampton had beaten Martinez twenty months ago, stopping the Spaniard, not then a world champion, in the ninth round for the first time in his career. This time around, the Ulsterman was taken to the wire in a 12-round war.

It was a landslide unanimous points decision – 119-108, 119-108, 118-111 on the cards – and Frampton had the proud champion on the canvas in the fifth round with one of many counter right hooks, but there were purposeful assaults from both men throughout. A third fight between them is not out of the question.

“He’s a tough man and I have never respected a man as much,” admitted the 27-year-old who acknowledged the support of “the best fans in the world.” It was some event. “I want to fight one man – Scott Quigg – but his promoter Eddie Hearn needs to understand that I am the man with the belt now.”

This magnificent performance represents the start of what could be a celebrated journey to the top of boxing’s tough summit, masterminded by his mentor and promoter Barry McGuigan and his son, Shane McGuigan.

Click here to read the entire story by Gareth A Davies, sports writer for The Telegraph.