Sunday 3 April 2016 02:17, UK
Scott Cardle held on to his British lightweight belt with a controversial draw in his rematch with Sean Dodd
The champion and the challenger put everything into another gruelling 12 rounds and even if the decision did not go down well at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, the scoring could set up a third fight.
There was little to choose between them again as the scorecard confirmed a majority draw with two of the judges scoring it 114-114 but the third edging it in Cardle's favour, 116-114.
Many people at ringside, including the Sky Sports pundits, expected Dodd to be given the decision after seeing him get stronger as the fight went on.
But Cardle, who was cut again just as he was in their first meeting, got the nod and may have done enough enough in the final championship rounds to cling on to British title.
The champion started off well, clearly full of confidence, and his movement saw Dodd miss more than he hit in the first few rounds. He picked up a little nick in the third but the fact it didn't get any worse showed that Cardle's counters were rarely on target.
The middle rounds saw Dodd take over, his right doing more damage and when they swapped shots, his was the last one to land.
Cardle's left eye got bloodier round by round but if anyone thought he was going to run out of steam after slipping and sliding in and out of range all night, they were wrong.
The ninth, 10th and 11th could have gone either way but Dodd seemed to land with more accuracy throughout and when the British champion's trainer, Joe Gallagher, told his man he needed a knockout in the last round, it seemed the strap would be making a short trip to Birkenhead with Dodd.
The final round saw Cardle craving the big shots but Dodd was on the offensive all night and it was him that looked to finish stronger. However, when the judges' scorecards were read out he was left disappointed.
He told Sky Sports: "I'm not a judge. I don't know how they score it. I leave it to them. I've got nothing to say to that. The result is the result. I've no complaints.
"I did what I could do. We expected that. A couple of shots I was eager but after the fourth round I started finding my range. From then on, I felt I was in control and enjoyed myself.
"In my opinion, I thought I won. I celebrated at the end of the fight. People from outside have a different view of it. Judges, it's their opinion. I'm just happy to be in good health.
"It was a good fight. I'm good to go again another day. What have I got to do to get the third fight?"
