IT was meant to be the night Scott Quigg's dreams came true but it turned into a nightmare at the Manchester Arena when the Bury star's long undefeated record was ended by Carl Frampton, who added the WBA belt to his IBF crown, writes David Pye.

It was a showdown fight fans and pundits alike had waited four years to see and a 20,000 sell-out crowd proved just that.

But it was not until the final rounds it really heated up between the super bantamweight world champions and by then it was just too late for Quigg.

That's not to say his effort was anything less than his usual maximum but it was not the explosive Quigg fight fans have grown to admire in 33 previous unbeaten professional outings.

However, it was not until the post-fight press conference that the 27-year-old revealed an uppercut from Frampton at the end of the fourth round had broken his jaw bone, and it was reported on Sky Sports that Quigg today underwent surgery to repair the injury.

That meant a more defensive approach until the later rounds and by then Frampton, himself unbeaten, had done enough with two of the judges to clinch a split decision 116-112, 116-112, 113-115.

It was a crackling atmosphere inside the arena with 10,000 travelling Northern Irish fans diluting Quigg's home advantage.

And the roof almost came off after a rocking rendition of Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline and two noisy ring walks.

You know it's a big event when American MC Michael Buffer is ready to rumble and a star-studded ringside audience including boxers Kell Brook, Tyson Fury and James Degale, former jockey Tony McCoy, Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill and actor James Nesbitt all waited to be entertained.

However, you could say Nesbitt's compatriot Frampton was a "Lucky Man" early on with Quigg seemingly having "Cold Feet".

It was a very cagey opening to the fight that saw WBA king Quigg trying to suss out Frampton's approach and the IBF champion on the front foot while not having to do much defensively.

Frampton threw shots but only really found Quigg's gloves in the subdued opening until the end of the fourth round when a great uppercut, that Quigg later described as a "peach", caught the Bury man.

The injury meant Quigg had to alter his game-plan slightly but after a tentative fifth, it meant for a more open fight.

Quigg knew, while watching his jaw and preventing further damage, he had to come out and attack – particularly with many onlookers believing he was down six rounds to one after seven.

He landed some good body shots in the eighth which appeared to rock Frampton who was clearly now having to be more defensive.

The confident open stance of the early rounds was less prevalent.

The pair continued to trade blows and the 10th round was a real slog between two tiring boxers.

The 11th was Quigg's big round as he went straight on the attack from the bell.

Some decent body shots saw him warm up for a great right-hander that again rocked Frampton and Quigg sensed blood before time ran out.

Frampton looked out on his feet when he retreated to his corner but proved the world-class fighter that he is with a stunning response to win the final round against the odds.

It may not have been a classic all the way through but as trainer Joe Gallagher said at the end, it will be remembered for those last four rounds as two great talents went toe-to-toe.

Unfortunately for a hampered Quigg, it was not to be this time but his desire and drive to succeed will ensure he bounces back even harder.

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Round by round

ROUND 1: Cagey to say the least with Quigg trying to suss out Frampton's plan as the IBF man leads first. Frampton's round.

ROUND 2: Frampton on the offensive again and lands several left jabs but Quigg is unmoved. Frampton's round.

ROUND 3: Again Frampton is on front foot but Quigg lands a couple of good shots in response. Frampton's round.

ROUND 4: It is more open with both fighters causing the other problems. Good uppercut from Frampton at end lands plum and hurts Quigg. Frampton's round.

ROUND 5: More like it from Quigg as he throws more punches and it starts to get lively as Frampton responds with several left-handers. Quigg's round.

ROUND 6: Frampton is back on the front foot but rarely landing. Couple of good body shots from Quigg. Level round.

ROUND 7: Eventful round as Quigg twice has Frampton on the ropes but also is lucky to get away with a big swing and miss. Level round.

ROUND 8: Strong end for Frampton but Quigg started well and a good shot hurt Frampton. Level round.

ROUND 9: Quigg has Frampton back on the ropes twice as he lands good right-handers but Frampton has resolve. Quigg's round.

ROUND 10: Action-packed as both fighters go for it. It's the battle we expected now. Level round.

ROUND 11: It looked like Quigg was tiring as Frampton pushes in but the he lands a great shot to rock the tiring Belfast boy. Quigg's round.

ROUND 12: It's a slog but a good comeback from Frampton after the 11th and he gets some good shots away. Frampton's round.