Whittaker, from nearby Wolverhampton, made a spectacular entrance as he danced in front of pyrotechnics while accompanied by a choir, but was met with jeers.

The 2020 Olympic silver medallist looked a little surprised at the crowd’s reaction.

Most observers had Cameron, 34, winning the first fight in Saudi Arabia but it was Whittaker who made the sharp start, with crisp and accurate punching.

England striker Marcus Rashford and UFC star Leon Edwards watched on as Whittaker – with his nickname ‘The Surgeon’ etched on his shorts – landed cleanly midway through the first round.

He put it on Cameron and another right connected as the Sheffield fighter’s legs dipped and he was held up by the bottom rope.

Referee Howard Foster saw enough and jumped in. There were no real protests from Cameron.

After his verbal attack on Smith, Whittaker cupped his hands as more boos echoed around the arena, though he did share an embrace with Cameron and his team a little later.

Whittaker’s stock dropped after his draw in Saudi Arabia. He left that fight in a wheelchair and was accused of quitting by some fans.

But he bounced back in style in his first fight under respected trainer Andy Lee, who defended his boxer’s outpouring of emotion.

“No one can understand what this man has gone through over the last six months,” Lee said.

“The fact he’s just standing here in the ring tonight, not many people could put up with what he’s gone through. His emotions are bound to get carried away.”