Carl Frampton has defeated Leo Santa Cruz on points in Brooklyn to become the new WBA world featherweight champion.

The 29-year-old came out on top as the clear winner by two of the judges, while the third saw the entertaining bout as a draw.

Frampton, the first boxer from Northern Ireland to win a world title in two weight divisions in what was his first pro fight at featherweight, made a strong start and had the defending champion on the ropes.

Cruz, never previously beaten heading into Saturday evening's bout, had to withstand a number of heavy hits in the second round but responded well with a flurry of punches.

It was the Belfast boxer who was proving the more effective, however, regaining the initiative and slowly building up an advantage after a solid sixth and seventh round showing by his opponent.

Cruz did finish strongly himself, but Frampton was made the winner by two judges who scored it 116-112 and 117-111 in the Ulsterman's favour.