Welshman Joe Calzaghe battled back from a stunning first round knockdown to score a disputed split decision victory over Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas and reign as light-heavyweight world number one.
Calzaghe extended his unbeaten record to 45 fights but only after by far the toughest test of his career against 43-year-old Hopkins, whose big right hand got him off to a flying start.
But the brilliant Welshman fought back strongly in the second half of a fight which was marked by frantic exchanges and touched by controversy when Hopkins claimed a low blow in round 10.
Judge Adalaide Byrd thought Hopkins had done enough to edge a 114-113 verdict but Chuck Giampa (116-111) and Ted Gimza (115-112) both scored in favour of Calzaghe's excellent second half of the fight.
Calzaghe said: "I fought really hard tonight. As the fight wore on I had to really let my punches go. He was very defensive. A win is a win. I was only hurt once and he never caught me with a clean punch.
"That knockdown was a slip but it was one of the toughest fights of my career. I'm very proud to have been the one to have landed the most punches on Hopkins in his career.
"It wasn't pretty and it wasn't my best night but I know I won. It's my second world title in a second division and I am in America. It is the icing on the cake for my career."
Calzaghe's win gave him the Ring magazine's version of the 175lbs title to add to the undisputed super-middleweight crown he still owns. And it will also bring him the global recognition he claims.