BELFAST’S CARL FRAMPTON is the new European super-bantamweight champion.
Frampton defeated Kiko Martinez in a ninth round stoppage at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday night.
The home favourite extended his unbeaten record despite withstanding some heavy blows from the Spaniard.
In the fight’s immediate aftermath, a delighted Frampton told SkySports he can improve on his European title with a little help from the Belfast crowd.
“I want to be a world champion and I am getting close. Martinez was harder to hit than I thought, and hard as nails.
“He is a big puncher and I got hit. I have proved I have got a solid chin – I can take them all day.
“With the help of this Belfast public, I can go right to the top.”
