Irish middleweight John Duddy's hopes of a world title shot this summer have been dashed after he sustained bad cuts around his eyes against Walid Smichet.
Duddy, 28, survived a scare on his return to the Madison Square Garden ring in New York overnight following a three-fight campaign on home soil during the last six months of 2007.
In what was supposed to be a warm-up bout for the unbeaten Derryman ahead of an expected world title challenge against Kelly Pavlik, a lacklustre performance and woeful defence meant he could only edge a split-decision over Tunisian Smichet.
Duddy had been expected to be confirmed as the opponent for Pavlik's first defence of his undisputed middleweight championship in the same arena on June 7.
Pavlik and his promoter Bob Arum were at ringside ahead of the scheduled announcement.
But their plans had to be shelved after Montreal-based Smichet opened up a deep cut above Duddy's left eye.
Smichet also cut the Irishman above his right eye as judge Frank Lombardi scored the 10-round fight a 95-95 draw, although judges John McKaie and Don Trella each scored it a rather generous 98-92 to stretch Duddy's professional record to 24-0.
The decision delighted Duddy's large contingent of fans in the arena but drew many boos from non-partisans in the 14,011 crowd and the cuts prompted Arum to look elsewhere for Pavlik's next opponent.
'I don't think Duddy is going to be ready because of the cuts,' Arum said.
'We're going to have to go to the drawing board and check out all the other middleweights.
Arum emphasised a Pavlik-Duddy fight was still on the cards for 2008, saying: 'Maybe we'll have to fight Duddy down the road because Kelly is looking to fight three more times this year.
'So there'll be plenty of opportunity to fight Duddy if he doesn't fight him immediately.'
The unbeaten Derryman was pounded by right-hand leads and left hooks from Smichet during the early rounds that left him bleeding from both sides of his face before taking control from the sixth round with a jolting left jab.
One judge scored it 95-95 while the other two judges both had it 98-92 in favour of Duddy.
The opening five rounds were a brawl, as neither fighter offered much defense. Duddy stalked Smichet but was an easy target for overhand rights and lefts from the counter-puncher.
After his early onslaught, the Tunisian grew arm weary and the fitter Duddy took over and used his boxing skill to post the victory.
Duddy said after the fight: 'I made it difficult on myself.
'I didn't let my fast hands work and didn't let my punches fly the way I usually do.
'I was happy that I won but I was disappointed with my performance. I trained much better than I looked in the ring. I think I was trying too hard.'
Smichet felt aggrieved the decision had gone against him, saying: 'Look at my face, look at his and you tell me who won the fight.'
