A bloodied Tyson Fury secured victory over Otto Wallin after surviving a major scare in Las Vegas.
The Gypsy King suffered a nasty cut in the third round just above his right eye after he was caught with a vicious right from the unfancied Wallin.
The wound troubled Fury throughout the first-half of the contest with the fight doctor repeatedly taking a look at the damage - prompting concerns the fight might be stopped at the T-Mobile Arena.
After one prolonged check in the sixth round, Fury returned with urgency, landing spiteful shots that slowed down and punished the impressive Wallin.
A superb flurry in the ninth sent Wallin into the ropes and while the Swede rallied again late on in the final round, opening that cut up once again, it wasn't enough.
Fury survived the scare, and having dominated the mid-to-late rounds, secured a 116-112 117-111 118-110 unanimous decision win.
This was Fury's second fight since last December's hugely controversial draw with WBC champion Deontay Wilder, having eased past Tom Schwarz in June.
The Manchester fighter extends his professional record to 29-0-1 with a rematch with Wilder now firmly in his sights.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum revealed the day before the fight terms for the Wilder rematch have been agreed, insisting the fighters will split the purse 50-50 when they meet on 22 February.
Arum also claimed the winner of the rematch will be entitled t a majority share of the purse for a third fight between the two to finally settle their rivalry.
