Gary Cully put his career back on track with a controversial split decision success over Reece Mould at Dublin's 3Arena on the undercard of the Chantelle Cameron-Katie Taylor showdown.
Six months on from the shock loss to Jose Felix, the Kildare boxer returned to scene of a devastating loss and produced a cagey performance that one judge scored 97-93 in favour of the away fighter.
However Cully took the victory 97-93 96-93 with the other two judges.
Cully showed the defensive frailties which cost him earlier this year, with Mould having success particularly early in the fight and in the final minute.
The English boxer came into the bout with a strong record of just a single loss in 19 – at the hands of world champion Leigh Wood – and showed no fear amid a noisy atmosphere early in the fight.
In the fourth round Cully began to find range and enjoyed his best moments of the fight, appearing to win multiple rounds in succession.
Mould certainly shaded the end of the 10-round contest, however.
Given the stakes for Cully, who knew his career was on the line after the defeat earlier in the year, he was wary of a big shot throughout the contest and had two major scares in the final round.
A right hand from Mould rocked his opponent and another crunching punch followed as memories of the loss to Felix resurfaced.
Cully got to the bell and the scorecards which went his way much to the annoyance of the visiting corner.
The Naas man will undoubtedly need to find another level if a dream of a world title shot is to come in the future.
Paddy Donovan added to his growing reputation with a ninth knockout victory from 12 fights in defeating England's Danny Ball for the WBA Continental Welterweight belt.
The Ennis fighter was on top when he caught Ball with a magnificent shot in the fourth round.
Ball attempted to recover but accurate and clean punches eventually led to Ball falling to the ground once more and the towel came in from the corner.
The 24-year-old moves to 12-0-0 in four years as a professional with former world champion Andy Lee in the corner.
Donovan started brightly with his fast hands and clever work no match for Ball who had just one defeat in 14 fights prior to tonight.
It was the first 10-rounder of his career and arguably the most impressive finish so far.
Heavyweight Thomas Carty endured a frustrating night that ultimately ended in success against Dan Garber.
Garber was negative throughout and led to Carty failing to find his timing.
A slow first round saw the referee step in and encourage more action but it failed to change Garber's approach.
Carty searched for the big left hand – particularly when Garber retreated to the corner – and he couldn’t connect.
However Garber eventually felt the efforts of the holding and physical approach, allowing Carty to score some big shots.
The British fighter went down from a left and right combination, with fatigue a big factor.
Speaking afterward Carty admitted his frustration with the evening and how it unfolded. Nevertheless he continued the unbeaten start to his career, now standing 7-0-0.
Emmet Brennan came out on top against Limerick's Jamie Morrissey in a bruising Celtic light-heavyweight contest, with the Dubliner delighting his large support with a final-round stoppage.
The Olympian started superbly and almost forced the referee to step in early in the fight, only for Morrissey to find his feet and recover midway through the bout.
Brennan overcame a slow fifth and sixth round to take momentum again as the fight headed for the final round.
A visibly tired Morrissey dropped his hands after a flurry of punches from his opponent and led to the ref calling a halt to the title clash with just under a minute left of the contest.
Promoter Eddie Hearn promised Brennan another chance to impress on a Matchroom show, whether it be in a return to Ireland or possibly in New York, saying there was no time to waste due to the late start in the pro game at 32.
John Cooney produced the most eye-catching performance of the night.
The Galwegian stopped Liam Gaynor in the first round to win the Celtic super-featherweight title.
Cooney floored Gaynor with a vicious left hand before a furious onslaught led to the referee stopping the fight after just 90 seconds.
He called out England's Reece Bellotti in the aftermath.
Elsewhere Australia's Skye Nicolson retained the WBC interim featherweight title with a after a TKO win over the outclassed Lucy Wildheart.
One-time world title challenger and conqueror of Eric Donovan, Zelfa Barrett, had a routine victory over Costin Ion by unanimous decision.
