Former England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff has won his first professional boxing fight against Richard Dawson in front of a lively crowd of 5,000 at the Manchester Arena.
“Freddie” recovered from a second-round knockdown to win the fight on the referee's scorecard 39-38 after four two-minute rounds.
His progress to become a professional boxer, which saw Flintoff shed 20kg in the build-up, was filmed for Sky for a three-part series.
The partisan cheered the former Lancashire sportsman to victory, despite the early set-back of hitting the canvass after a strong punch from his heavier American opponent in the second round.
Speaking after the fight, Flintoff, who has been training under the guidance of former champion Barry McGuigan and his son Shane, told Box Nation: "You mention the Ashes at international level, but as a personal achievement I think this is the best.”
"I wanted to experience it. The people around Manchester, and the county, supported me so well playing cricket. It was a no brainer to have it up here.
"The crowd made a massive difference. It's been amazing - humbling, really."
Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff v Richard Dawson
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Andrew Flintoff, centre right, poses as he celebrates his victory over Richard Dawson during their International Heavyweight boxing contest in Manchester, England, Friday Nov. 30, 2012. Unbeaten American boxer Richard Dawson fights national cricketing legend Andrew Flintoff, who scored 3,845 Test runs for England and took 226 Test wickets during an illustrious cricket career and now turns to boxing. Andrew Flintoff won his professional boxing debut after beating American Richard Dawson on points. (AP Photo / Dave Thompson, PA) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES (credit:AP)
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Andrew Flintoff, right, receives a standing eight count after being knocked down by Richard Dawson during their International Heavyweight boxing contest in Manchester, England, Friday Nov. 30, 2012. Unbeaten American boxer Dawson fights England national cricketing legend Andrew Flintoff, who scored 3,845 Test runs for England and took 226 Test wickets during an illustrious cricket career and now turns boxer. Andrew Flintoff went on to win his professional boxing debut after beating American Richard Dawson on points. (AP Photo / Dave Thompson, PA) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES (credit:AP)
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Andrew Flintoff poses with Richard Dawson after defeating him during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff (right) and Richard Dawson during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff during his International Heavyweight Contest with Richard Dawson at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff gets a kiss from wife Rachael after defeating Richard Dawsonduring the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff's wife Rachael celebrates his victory over Richard Dawson during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff (right) receives a standing eight count after being knocked down by Richard Dawson during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff is knocked down by Richard Dawson (left) during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff (right) and Richard Dawson in action during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff (L) fights US boxer Richard Dawson (R) in their heavyweight boxing bout at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, north-west England on November 30, 2012. Flintoff won the fight on points to score a victory in his first professional bout. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Andrew Flintoff celebrates his victory over Richard Dawson (right) during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff celebrates his victory over Richard Dawson during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff (R) fights US boxer Richard Dawson (L) in their heavyweight boxing bout at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, north-west England on November 30, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff v Richard Dawson - Special Attraction International Heavyweight Contest(16 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Flintoff celebrates after victory in his International Heavyweight bout with Richard Dawson at MEN Arena on November 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff celebrates his victory over US boxer Richard Dawson in their heavyweight boxing bout at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, north-west England on November 30, 2012. Flintoff won the fight on points to score a victory in his first professional bout. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff v Richard Dawson - Special Attraction International Heavyweight Contest(18 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Flintoff in action with Richard Dawson during their International Heavyweight bout at MEN Arena on November 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff v Richard Dawson - Special Attraction International Heavyweight Contest(19 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Flintoff celebrates after victory in his International Heavyweight bout with Richard Dawson at MEN Arena on November 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff (L) celebrates his victory over US boxer Richard Dawson (R) in their heavyweight boxing bout at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, north-west England on November 30, 2012. Flintoff won the fight on points to score a victory in his first professional bout. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Andrew Flintoff (right) and Richard Dawson in action during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff (right) and Richard Dawson in action during the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Andrew Flintoff before the International Heavyweight Contest at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Flintoff in action with Richard Dawson during their International Heavyweight bout at MEN Arena on November 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff v Richard Dawson - Special Attraction International Heavyweight Contest(25 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Flintoff in action with Richard Dawson during their International Heavyweight bout at MEN Arena on November 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff v Richard Dawson - Special Attraction International Heavyweight Contest(26 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Flintoff enters the ring prior to his International Heavyweight bout with Richard Dawson at MEN Arena on November 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff is pictured during a 'Weigh In' on the eve of his first fight against Richard Dawson of the US at the MEN Arena in Manchester, north-west England, on November 29, 2012. 'Freddie, as he is known to cricket lovers around the world, will break new ground when the 34-year-old squares up to Dawson in a four-round heavyweight boxing contest at Manchester Arena for his first professional bout. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff (L) and US boxer Richard Dawson pose for pictures following a press conference at the MEN Arena in Manchester, north-west England, on November 29, 2012. 'Freddie, as he is known to cricket lovers around the world, will break new ground when the 34-year-old squares up to Dawson in a four-round heavyweight boxing contest at Manchester Arena for his first professional bout. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff & Richard Dawson Weigh In(29 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Andrew Flintoff and Richard Dawson during the weigh in for their Heavyweight bout at The Hilton Hotel on November 29, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff is pictured during a 'Weigh In' on the eve of his first fight against US boxer Richard Dawson at the MEN Arena in Manchester, north-west England, on November 29, 2012. 'Freddie, as he is known to cricket lovers around the world, will break new ground when the 34-year-old squares up to Dawson in a four-round heavyweight boxing contest at Manchester Arena for his first professional bout Friday. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff & Richard Dawson Weigh In(31 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Andrew Flintoff and Richard Dawson during the weigh in for their Heavyweight bout at The Hilton Hotel on November 29, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff (L) and US boxer Richard Dawson pose for pictures following a press conference at the MEN Arena in Manchester, north-west England, on November 29, 2012. 'Freddie, as he is known to cricket lovers around the world, will break new ground when the 34-year-old squares up to Dawson in a four-round heavyweight boxing contest at Manchester Arena for his first professional bout. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff & Richard Dawson Weigh In(33 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Andrew Flintoff and Richard Dawson shake hands during the weigh in for their Heavyweight bout at The Hilton Hotel on November 29, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff & Richard Dawson Weigh In(34 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Andrew Flintoff and Richard Dawson during the weigh in for their Heavyweight bout at The Hilton Hotel on November 29, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Andrew Flintoff & Richard Dawson Weigh In(35 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Andrew Flintoff during the weigh in for his Heavyweight bout with Richard Dawson at The Hilton Hotel on November 29, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff (L) fights US boxer Richard Dawson (R) in their heavyweight boxing bout at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, north-west England on November 30, 2012. Flintoff won the fight on points to score a victory in his first professional bout. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)