Carl Frampton defeated Mexican Hugo Fidel Cazares inside two rounds last night to set up a probable world title shot later this year.

A resounding left hook brought an end to the contest at the Odyssey Arena and made Frampton the first man to stop the 36-year-old veteran since 1999. The Mexican is a two-time world champion but failed to beat the count after being felled.

The Belfast boxer is now the mandatory contender for the WBC world super-Bantamweight title – a belt held by Mexico’s Leo Santa Cruz and hopes are high that a world title bout can be arranged for Belfast later this year.

“We are going to make an outstanding proposal to Santa Cruz financially and hopefully he will come over to Belfast,” said Frampton’s manager Barry McGuigan afterwards.

“The sooner we can get it on the better.”