A bloodied Jack Catterall outpointed Harlem Eubank by technical decision in an all-British welterweight bout that ended prematurely because of a clash of heads at Manchester's AO Arena.
Catterall, 31, delivered a typically cautious performance, controlling the bout with a safety-first approach, but neither fighter was willing to take major risks.
The fighters clashed heads during a tangle in the sixth round. Both sustained cuts, but Catterall's – above the right eye - was visibly worse.
After being examined by the ringside doctor at the end of the round, the fight looked set to continue. However, at the start of the seventh, referee Bob Williams halted proceedings, and the bout went to the scorecards.
All three judges awarded the fight to Catterall, with scores of 69-65, 69-66, and 69-66.
"The fight was going how I expected it to go. I was breaking him down," said the Chorley boxer. "It's not the way I wanted to win."
Fighting at welterweight for the first time, Catterall expressed relief at returning to winning ways after a loss to Arnold Barboza Jr earlier this year - a defeat that cost him a shot at the light-welterweight world title.
Brighton's Eubank, the nephew of British boxing legend Chris Eubank Sr, suffered the first defeat of his pro career in his 22nd bout. The 31-year-old immediately called for a rematch, claiming he was on track for a "spectacular stoppage victory".
