By Dallan O’ Donnell: Carl Froch wasn’t the only man to pull off a great performance in Nottingham last night. Chief support to the main event was a battle of two unbeaten fighters. Mexican Raul Hirales travelled to the UK to take on the fighting pride of Belfast “The Jackal” Carl Frampton.

Usually you don’t see a crossroads fight between two unbeaten fighters this early in their career, especially when one of them is a proud Mexican. But Frampton believes in his own ability and wanted to prove to the boxing public that he was a step above domestic level.

Hirales, true to the Mexican tradition, was always looking for a tear up, a toe to toe battle with Frampton, but the Belfast man was having none of it.

Frampton showed his boxing skills by moving and frustrating the Mexican but yet managing to win the fight. He never once looked troubled by Hirales and showed his domestic rival Scott Quigg that he may be a step above Quigg.

Quigg and Frampton both were scheduled to fight each other but in the end, neither could agree to the bout. Quigg will instead fight tough southpaw, Rendall Munroe. Quigg may have missed his chance at Frampton.

I expect huge things from Carl Frampton in the future and I would go as far as to tip him for a world title.

If anything, this weekend showed that British and Irish boxing is still alive and kicking. Well done to matchroom sport and Eddie Hearn for putting on a very good night of boxing.

What did you think of Frampton’s performance? Tell me on Twitter @dallan09