Kevin Mitchell won the Commonwealth super featherweight title with a hard-earned points victory over Ghana's George Ashie at London's York Hall. Mitchell overcame some stubborn resistance from the African before taking the decision by scores of 117-113, 116-113 and 116-112.
It was the 2003 ABA featherweight champion's 22nd straight victory since turning professional.
But Ashie took the Englishman the distance for the seventh time.
Mitchell said: "I was trying to box more so that when the time comes to move up and fight better guys, I know I can go the distance.
"If you go bang, crash, wallop and knock them over, you don't learn anything.
I still lose my focus a bit and go in to have a fight but I'm getting better at that."
The win means Mitchell, who celebrates his 22nd birthday on Sunday, remains on course for a fight against Amir Khan but promoter Frank Warren insists that is in the future.
"There's a little way to go and some more learning to be done," he said.
"Kevin and Amir Khan would be a massive fight down the road if they stay at the same weight."
Mitchell's next bout will be on Warren's show at London's ExCel Arena on Saturday, 9 December.
