By Danny Winterbottom

Manchester Arena, Manchester - Bury’s Scott Quigg (8st 9lbs 40z)  came through the toughest test of his career to date as he halted former IBF world champion Kiko Martinez (8st 9lbs 10oz) in round two of a scheduled 12 in defence of his WBA 8st 10lbs championship in Manchester in a sensational performance.

The co-featured bout saw Joe Gallagher trained Quigg extend his unbeaten run to 31 fights and close in on a highly anticipated fight with rival Carl Frampton. Frampton, who came off the canvas twice to beat Alejandro Gonzalez in the US on the same night went the distance with Martinez in September 2014 when he claimed the Spaniard’s International Boxing Federation title.

Make no mistake this victory for Quigg was a statement of intent and he laid down the gauntlet to Frampton for what would be an explosive contest for British boxing between two of the best 122lbs fighters on the planet.

“Everybody who sees me day to day knows what I’m capable of” said Quigg on his stunning display.

“I’ve tried to make the big fights, people know that, but until tonight I haven’t been able to show what I can do at this level.  Martinez stepped up but he was blown away and nobody has done that to him”

The questions turned inevitably to a possible match with rival and IBF champion Carl Frampton and Quigg was bullish of his chances should the pair meet in what would be a terrific fight for British boxing.

“I know deep down that I will win that fight.  When I hit Carl Frampton on the chin he will get knocked out.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that he is in talks with Top Rank over a possible bout between Quigg and superstar Nonito Donaire

“That fight is close to being made for November.  They are talking about Dubai but I would love the fight to be in the UK as I believe it is a pay-per-view fight.”

The opening session of Quigg-Martinez certainly wasn’t a taster of what was to come just a matter of minutes later as Quigg looked apprehensive and Martinez, in typical fashion came forwards in menacing style and landed his vaunted power high on the head of the champion forcing him to retreat.

“I wanted to taste his power” said Quigg “I was catching his shots but I didn’t feel anything so I wanted to exchange punches inside to see if I needed to be cautious when I let my punches go.  He (Martinez) is heavy handed but nothing special.”

However round two was a total contrast to the opening session as the Bury man came out in a much more aggressive manner and moments into the round he battered Martinez to the canvas with a series of blows.  It was Martinez’s turn to feel the power of the local hero and Quigg, sensing his challenger was ready to be stopped and roared on by a capacity crowd, unloaded with both hands in a brutal two fisted attack culminating in a flashing right hook that sent Martinez heavily to the canvas.

Martinez attempted to beat the count of referee Terry O’Connor but was on unsteady legs when he rose and the veteran official called a halt to the contest sparking wild celebrations inside the Manchester Arena.

“I want to thank everybody who came out to support me” said Quigg who can look forward to more special nights like this one.