Carl Frampton has claimed the WBO interim featherweight belt thanks to a hard-earned points win over former four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire in Belfast on Saturday night.
The Jackal was too sharp for his Filipino opponent, controlling the distance well while landing neat counter shots en route to victory, winning 117-111 on all cards.
Frampton regularly beat Donaire to the punch to take a points lead and, although the 35-year-old landed big left hooks in the seventh and 11th rounds, he was largely second best in the bout.
The Northern Irishman has long pined for an outdoor world title fight at Windsor Park in his native city and his victory has edged him a step closer to his dream, potentially as early as the summer.
Mexico's WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez will now be required to defend his title against Frampton, although it remains to be seen whether that fight will be the Belfast man's summer contest.
The winner of next month's all-British IBF title bout between Lee Selby and Josh Warrington could be another possible opponent for Frampton.
Giuseppe Labellarte
