Sylvester retains title

The 30-year-old challenger looked competitive in the three opening rounds, matching Sylvester's busy work-rate and keeping the Hurricane at bay with his jab.

Sylvester found himself nursing a cut after a clash of heads, but the champion's superior technique began to show as Oral was subjected to a barrage of heavy blows at the end of the fourth round.

Oral's legs buckled in the eighth, ninth, and 10th rounds, but the 'Lion' showed immense heart to beat the count on each occasion and take the fight to a decision.

The judges' verdict was emphatic - 117-107, 119-106, 117-107 - giving Sylvester a third successful title defence and 34th career win while condemning Oral to his third defeat.