This fight was originally set to take place in Altrincham, but Matchroom made the switch to East Manchester’s Co-op Live because of ticket demands.

And the 5,000-strong crowd made themselves heard when Brown entered the ring first, followed by a chorus of boos for Essex fighter Hedges.

Chants of ‘Oh Patrick the Bomber’ and ‘Sale’ rang around the arena as Hedges took the upper hand in the opening rounds with his awkward style.

Brown looked for ways to set up his heavy power-punches, but Hedges’ sharp footwork and holding at the right time nullified the threat.

The pendulum started to swing in Brown’s favour in the fifth when he began using his jab to set up combinations, with a right uppercut punctuating the round.

Hedges paid tribute to Manchester icon Ricky Hatton at the weigh-in after the first anniversary of his death passed on 14 September.

And it was a Hatton-like rippling left hook to the body from Brown that sent Hedges crashing to his knees.

Hedges beat the count but was sent tumbling back down to the canvas with another blow to the midsection – this time he was unable to pull himself back to his feet.

Family man Brown, who made his ringwalk with his father, had previously said “putting belts on his dad’s shoulders” was all that mattered.

He left with two more tonight.