Carl Frampton stops Kiko Martinez to win European title

Carl Frampton stopped Kiko Martinez in the ninth round in Belfast to win the European super-bantamweight title.

The unbeaten Belfast challenger withstood a strong challenge from the Spaniard before flooring Martinez late in the ninth at the Odyssey Arena.

The fight was stopped as a battling Martinez failed to recover in what was Frampton's toughest to date.

Frampton said he wants his next fight to be against British champion Scott Quigg, who was at ringside.

A low-key opening round was followed by Martinez becoming the aggressor with Frampton forced on the back foot.

Both fighters were rocked by punches in the second round and the contest remained close before Frampton produced the decisive blow.

"This is amazing - I just want the people of Belfast to be proud of me," said a delighted Frampton

"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."