MANCHESTER - Carl Frampton defeated Scott Quigg on a split-points decision to become the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight champion on Saturday, guaranteeing fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy a night out at Wayne Rooney's expense.

Frampton triumphed after 12 rounds in front of a 20,000 sell-out Manchester crowd courtesy of 116-112 counts in his favour by two judges, with the other giving it to local fighter Quigg 115-113.

The hotly-anticipated bout also led to a good-natured Twitter duel between golf star McIlroy and Manchester United footballer Rooney.

And as soon as the victory was confirmed, the four-time Major winner and former world No. 1 golfer gleefully claimed his prize.

Frampton paid tribute to Quigg with whom he had fought a fierce war of words in the build-up to the fight - over the choice of dressing rooms.

"That's the end of all the disrespect - from my side anyway," he told the BBC. "I'm proud to have beaten a very good fighter tonight. He was a worthy champion."

Both McIlroy and Rooney had plenty of time to watch Saturday's fight.

On Friday, McIlroy missed the cut at the Honda Classic in Florida while United and England skipper Rooney is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

Quigg suffered a broken jaw in the fight. Quigg's promoter Eddie Hearn revealed on Twitter on Sunday morning that the Bury fighter was having surgery and also posted pictures of the X-rays.

"Thoughts with Scott Quigg currently undergoing surgery on broken jaw..you will be back stronger!" wrote Hearn.

“It was a cracking five rounds after a slow start. I gave it to Carl Frampton by a couple of rounds, Scott started too late and gave him a bit too much respect.

“Some people will fail to see how well Carl Frampton fought. I think Scott had him badly hurt in the 11th but fair play to him, I think he was the deserved winner.

“You can’t be haphazard in the early rounds and start attacking and throwing punches. You’ve got to go the distance.

“Scott started throwing caution to the wind when he had to but it was too late, unless we got the knockout – and my gut feeling going into the last round was Carl Frampton had won the fight.”