Carl Frampton will take on IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington after defeating Luke Jackson by technical knockout at Windsor Park.
A dominant performance against Jackson capped a dream night for Frampton in front of a home crowd, his interim WBO title retained as the fight was stopped in the ninth round after the visiting fighter stumbled under the weight of the Northern Irishman's punches.
But Frampton already has another fight to set his sights on, with Warrington ringside and as keen as the 31-year-old to make the bout happen before the end of the year.
Frank Warren, managing both fighters and fresh from sealing Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury, told BT Sport: "We're gonna make the dream fight. Definitely this year - it is on."
Frampton looked fit and on form and sent a message to Warrington long before the post-fight ring talk.
Roared on by a vociferous home crowd, Frampton was on the offensive from the outset and a flurry of punches had Jackson wobbling as early as the third.
A pair of lefts had the Australian teetering and, having spoken of his desire for an early stoppage, there was no let up in Frampton's approach.
Jackson held his own in a thrilling sixth as both men took big blows to the chin, but he failed to build on his foothold and was sent to the canvas by a Frampton body shot two rounds later.
Although there was a brave attempt to continue into the ninth, the Northern Irishman found the body again and Jackson's camp threw the towel in as their fighter staggered backwards.