PROMOTER Eddie Hearn believes Scott Quigg’s quick-fire demolition of Spain’s Kiko Martinez on Saturday has sent out a message and silenced his critics.

The Bury world champion was explosive in dispatching Martinez in just over four minutes at the Manchester Arena to leave Hearn and a capacity crowd wowed.

It was a fifth successful defence of his WBA world super bantamweight title and the 26-year-old could not hide his emotion when referee Terry O’Connor called halt to proceedings when Martinez struggled to get up from a second knockdown in the first minute of the round two.

And Hearn believes Quigg proved he can beat the best in the division.

Hearn said: “I’m so pleased that Scott Quigg finally gets the respect he deserves.

“He is a quality fighter and when he fights those elite level fighters you will keep seeing those kind of performances.

“Ultimately, he is in a great position. He is world champion and his stock is going to keep on rising.

“Of course, the Carl Frampton fight is the one everybody wants but we have plenty of options after that display.

“It is a sensational performance against a very dangerous Kiko Martinez.

“I don’t think there’s a super bantamweight in the division that can stand up to Scott Quigg’s power.

“People say Scott Quigg has got no fans – it sounded to me like he had plenty of fans in the Manchester Arena and I am so pleased with the reception he got.

“No one works harder than Scott Quigg in the gym. He dedicates his whole life to the sport.

“He is a great lad and a British world champion.”