BELFAST boxer Carl Frampton last night thanked fans for their "unbelievable" support following his world super-bantamweight victory.
Frampton maintained his unbeaten record and left the ring at the packed Manchester Arena with the IBF and WBA super bantamweight title belts after defeating Scott Quigg in the split decision fight on Saturday night.
The 29-year-old eventually emerged triumphant after 12 rounds in front of a 20,000 sell-out crowd inflicting upon Quigg the first defeat of his career and extending his own unbeaten run to 22 fights.
Thousands of boxing fans from Northern Ireland had travelled to watch the much-anticipated fight with the Manchester Arena buzzing with support for the Tiger's Bay man.
Sports stars from the north were also out in force to show their backing for 'The Jackal', including Northern Ireland footballers Kyle Lafferty, Stuart Dallas, Gareth McAuley and Josh Magennis, who carried the boxer's belts into the ring.
Ringside and actor James Nesbitt, jockey AP McCoy as well as Republic and Northern Ireland football managers Martin O'Neill and Michael O'Neill were also there to support him.
Belfast boxers Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan were also among the travelling contingent in the arena crowds.
Frampton reportedly celebrated his win with manager Barry McGuigan, Nesbitt, rugby player Danny Cipriani and Mumford and Sons lead singer Marcus Mumford in a Manchester nightclub.
The boxer is believed to have ordered pizzas for fans at the Suburbia club after arriving in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Frampton took to his Twitter last night to paid tribute to the people who had supported him.
"The biggest thank you goes to my travelling support," he said.
"Try and tell me I don't have the noisiest fans in boxing. Unbelievable."
First and deputy First Ministers paid tribute to Frampton following his win.
First Minister Arlene Foster said she was "delighted" for the Tiger's Bay fighter adding "another reason to be proud of Northern Ireland".
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also praised the boxer, tweeting "warmest congratulations to @RealCarlFrampton on his tremendous world title victory last night in Manchester".
He added: "A most admirable young man".
But it appears the fight did not impress one controversial boxer - heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury.
He was at the arena with his cousins Isaac Lowe and Hosea Burton both fighting on the undercard, but revealed he left before the main event of Frampton versus Quigg began.
Fury slammed the bout on social media, writing: "Big fight nearly always let boxing fans down, frampton quigg is a snooz fest through9 [sic]".
"Thousands of fans have paid a lot of money for this s***, get stuck in.
"Absolute b******* fight. Pleased I left & come home."
