Malignaggi's victory, while ultimately deserved, was put into context by his previous win over the now 36-year-old N'Dou in June last year, when he was awarded every round on two of the judges' cards.

The American, nicknamed the 'Magic Man', had certainly looked the part as he entered the ring in an electric blue gargoyle mask and did his best to whip up the pro-Ricky Hatton fans who had taken their seats early for the chief support.

The crowd's interest was scarcely sustained through a drab contest, although N'Dou's fleeting moments of success drew cheers, as did the ridiculous haircut episode at the end of round eight.

Undeniably a slick, clever fighter, Malignaggi carries next to no power after a serious hand operation and N'Dou immediately got to work with jolting right hands in the opening rounds.

It was a straight left in round five which rocked Malignaggi back on his heels and a quick combination in the seventh also had the New Yorker in trouble, although he rarely looked likely to lose his points advantage.

Malignaggi had more success repelling the tiring South African in the second half of the fight and eventually skated away to score a success which will not have struck fear into the light blue half of Manchester.