Chisora v Wallin: Bloodied Derek Chisora beats Otto Wallin in UK finale

Chisora spoke in the build-up to his UK send-off about it being an emotional week and those feelings got the better of him when he entered the venue earlier in the night, with the TNT broadcast showing him in tears.

By the time he made his walk to the ring wearing a cowboy hat, Chisora had steadied himself mentally and he was warmly welcomed into the arena as fans sang along to Hotel California.

‘Del Boy’ set the tempo from the outset, fighting on the front foot and not allowing Wallin space to get behind his jab.

Short bursts to body and head were enough to carry Chisora through the early stages and a looping right had Wallin backtracking in round three.

Chisora was cut above his right eye in round five but passed a check with the doctor in the sixth as he continued to enjoy the better of the close exchanges.

A looping right sent Wallin tumbling across the ring and down in the ninth but he was back ready to go by the count of eight.

Upon hearing the 10-second clapper in the final round, Chisora threw everything at Wallin and put down his rival, who was saved by the bell.

Chisora has faced some of the biggest names in the sport during his 18-year career, meeting Tyson Fury on three occasions, Whyte and Parker twice, and has also come up short against Vitali Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk.

It is Chisora’s third win in succession after victories over Gerald Washington and Joe Joyce.

Chisora is the third man to beat Wallin following losses against Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Just seven of Chisora’s 49 professional bouts have taken place outside of the UK and this was his fourth contest in Manchester.

His three previous fights in Manchester – two against Parker and one with Whyte – ended in defeat.