Liam Paro has prevailed in a bruising welterweight debut, pipping French showman David Papot to keep alive his prospects of a second world title.
The local favourite won a unanimous points decision in Brisbane on Thursday - 117-111, 116-112, 116-112 - to improve to 27-1.
But it was hardly a cakewalk.
The Queenslander copped a Papot shot in the fourth round that closed his right eye for the final eight rounds, while the Frenchman routinely shook his head after being hit, as if to dismiss Paro's power.
But Paro, who had earlier cut Papot above his right eye, didn't panic, controlling most rounds as the pair went the 12-round distance at Pat Rafter Arena.
It was the French challenger's first loss in 32 professional fights and a brutal introduction to the division for Paro, who won and lost the IBF super lightweight world title last year.
Billed as an IBF eliminator, Paro is poised for a shot at the title recently claimed by Ireland's Lewis Crocker.
The path may not be a straight line though, with Crocker's promoter Eddie Hearn already flagging a potential date with Conor Benn instead.
"Same old shit, kept ticking over," Paro said of his fourth-round scare.
"That's boxing and respect to Papot, he was undefeated for a reason.
"We're not playing marbles. I've got a lot to work on, back to the gym."
Earlier, Liam Wilson produced some of his best work since his controversial near-miss in a world title loss to Emanuel Navarrete nearly four years ago.
The Queenslander traded blows with the Dominican Republic's Jorge Santana in a frenzied first three rounds.
But then the 29-year-old ended things with a perfect straight right, followed by a thunderous left hook that floored his opponent.
"Mr Damage is back," Wilson said after improving to 17-3.
"I was a bit stagnant there for a while, but I'm back to my old ways, bit of mongrel in me.
"The mentality is to hit and hurt. I just want to hurt people, with respect."
After a controversial build-up in Arizona, Wilson knocked down Mexican champ Navarrete, only for the heavy favourite to be allowed 27 seconds to recover, then go on and retain his WBO super featherweight belt.
Wilson called out Australia's former world champion George Kambosos Jr next, but said the title rematch was the fight he wants.
"Get this man a world title (bout) he deserves," promoter George Rose said.
"In Australia. We played by his rules over there, over here we'll play it fair."
