Carl Frampton took another step up the ladder when he won the IBF inter-continental super-bantamweight title against Raul Hirales.
The Northern Irishman took his record to 14-0 with a one-sided victory over the Mexican, who was outclassed on the night.
Previously unbeaten, Hirales was expected to prove Frampton's toughest assigment yet and while that was the case, Barry McGuigan's protege passed the test with flying colours.
But while it was a straight-forward win, it proved to be a messy affair with Hirales proving difficult to dislodge.
Frampton was happy to wait for his opponent to make the first move, repeatedly catching him on the way in with a sharp left hook.
The fourth round was the scrappiest yet, the Northern Irishman almost boxing as though expecting more from the Mexican.
Again in the fifth Frampton enjoyed most success when Hirales tried to force it, a crisp hook checking the Mexican's progress but it was not the impressive performance his backers would have wanted.
Frampton went through his impressive repertoire in the middle rounds, albeit at his own pace, unleashing quality combinations while remaining out of trouble.
Hirales continued to be second to the draw despite trying to step up a gear, but Frampton was usually out of range and the left hand landed almost at will with little coming back.
While clearly having the class to go a long way, domestic rivals Scott Quigg and Rendall Munroe - who take each other on next month on Sky Sports - will not be losing any sleep just yet.
"It was easily the toughest fight so far, but I only lost one round," Frampton told Sky Sports after winning 120-108 and 119-109 (twice). "It's the best I've ever boxed as a pro.
"I hit him cleanly but he's a great fighter, a warrior. He came to keep his ranking, but I can do anything, forward or back."
A European title shot against Kiko Martinez in September could be next for the improving youngster.
