Keith Thurman has sealed a majority decision victory over Josesito Lopez to retain his WBA (super) welterweight title.
Thurman was fighting for the first time after a 22-month injury layoff but was made go the distance against a tough challenger who gave the champion a major scare in the seventh round.
Thurman started in slick fashion, dropping his opponent in the second round with a shuddering right hook to the body.
While he opened up a healthy points lead in the opening four rounds, his early energy faded as Lopez kept coming forward with an intense flurry in that seventh round momentarily rocking the champion.
Thurman hung on however with two ringside judges giving him the victory.
After unifying the welterweight titles with a split decision victory over Danny Garcia in March 2017, Thurman underwent surgery to address a long standing elbow problem.
A hand injury further delayed his return to action, with the man many regarded as the new welterweight king forced to watch on from the sidelines as the likes of Terence Crawford and Errol Spence claimed championships of their own.
Thurman acknowledged post-fight that Lopez had given him a stern examination back in New York but warned the red-hot welterweight division he was back.
The 31-year-old had talked up the possibility of taking on Manny Pacquiao during fight week, calling out the Filipino in his post-fight interview.
"I would most likely definitely take the Manny Pacquiao fight this year. I feel good. That was a beautiful fight. I'm ready to fight wherever Pacquiao wants it."
