Brandon Daord could not hide his delight after becoming the new British super-flyweight champion. The Birkenhead fighter produced the performance of his career to edge out Matty McHale after 12 intense rounds of championship boxing at the Caledonia Gladiators Arena in East Kilbride.

The former Venture Boxing Club amateur claimed a bronze medal at the 2015 Commonwealth Games - and has spent most of his professional career craving a big night like this one. Both fighters were unbeaten heading into the contest, and although a lot of the rounds were extremely tight, Daord would often finish them the stronger, landing the better shots.

After the final bell sounded, both fighters celebrated with their teams in the ring, but in the end it was Daord who got the nod, with the scorecards reading 116-112, 115-114 and 115-114. Smiling from ear to ear, Daord told BBC Sport: “I feel unbelievable. I have been wanting this opportunity for such a long time. I have been a pro for nine years now and this is my first decent big show.

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“This means a lot to me. It means the world. As I said to Matty then, I came to his city, and it was a good fight. He’s a good fighter, and we can do it again in my city.

“Most of the night I thought I was the one finishing the argument most of the time. That was what made me think I was pinching the rounds at the end of each round.”

Asked what could be next, the 27-year-old replied: “Well before this I said I was sick of chasing everyone around, it would be nice to have a target on my back for a change.

“I am sick of playing hide and seek with people, if you know what I mean, chasing all these people around now they can come and chase me around for a little bit.

Reflecting on the fight, former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor said: “I thought it was a very close fight. A very close fight.

“That first scorecard I think is a bit of a joke to either fighter. That score was ridiculous. It was a very, very closely fought contest.”