Tyson Fury beat Arslanbek Makhmudov on points in a real slug fest in front of a packed-out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.
Fury looked largely comfortable against Makhmudov throughout the contest, with the Russian one-dimensional.
While there was not much guile from the Dagestan fighter, Fury could not find that killer blow despite some heavy blows.
But for a man who has spent 16 months out of the ring, Fury proved he can still dance with the best - against a fighter whose chin is made of pure granite.
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Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov put on a slug fest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
|REUTERS
The Lion was exhausted for the last five rounds at least but could not be downed in a remarkable showing of grit.
But with Anthony Joshua looking on, the Briton might fancy his chances with his extreme power and better footwork - a fight that has still yet to be confirmed but appears to be in the working.
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Tyson Fury looked for the killer blow but could not find it against a boxer full of grit
|REUTERS
Yet when Fury went over to AJ to demand that he joins him in the ring, he turned him down.
Joshua could be heard repeatedly saying: "It is your night!"
Former super middleweight world champion Andre Ward speaking on Netflix said: "There's a lot of ways to get the job done in boxing and you're seeing Tyson Fury do it at the highest level.
"Some will say Makhmudov is limited, but he's strong enough and good enough.
"You can't take anything away from Tyson Fury offensively and defensively tonight."
More to follow...