Dereck Chisora has edged out Kubrat Pulev via split-decision in their heavyweight rematch at the 02 Arena.
When the pair met in Hamburg six years ago, Pulev was the deserved winner, but while their first contest was at European level, this was a bout where both fighters were scrapping for their careers.
While there were moments when holding threatened to dominant proceedings, the pair also relentlessly traded blows in what proved to be a more entertaining fight than the first instalment.
From the opening bell, Chisora battered Pulev to the body, while also landing regularly with his trademark overhand right, but the Bulgarian was landing the cuter shots which ensured that Chisora could not get complacent.
With Pulev nursing at least one cut, Chisora landed some big blows during the third quarter of the bout, although an eye-catching upper-cut from Pulev led to Chisora taking numerous backwards steps.
When the final bell sounded, it was difficult to settle on a winner with any degree of certainty, and that was reflected in the three scorecards.
While one judge had Pulev winning 116-112, the other two gave it to Chisora by margins of 116-112 and 116-114, keeping him in the market for another high-profile match before the end of the year.
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The chief support between Israil Madrimov and Michel Soro was supposed to determine the mandatory challenger for the WBA super-welterweight crown.
The fight was ordered due to a controversial finish to their first bout in December, but the second instalment also failed to produce a new contender for the 154lbs title.
Instead, the clash has waved off just seconds into the third round after Soro suffered an horrendous cut just above his eye, a result of an accidental clash of heads.
Madrimov had dominated the second round and appeared well on his way to a conclusive win until that incident, the WBA now being left with the decision to make with regards to how to progress forward.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland's Caoimhin Agyarko marked his switch down to the same division with a points victory over Lukasz Maciec.
While the Pole was competitive throughout the 10-round contest, Agyarko progressed to 12-0 courtesy of 100-90, 100-90 and 99-93 scorecards.
Darren Plant
