Josh Warrington took a giant step towards a summer showdown with British rival and world champion Lee Selby by beating Hisashi Amagasa on Saturday night.
The 'Leeds Warrior' took a unanimous decision in front of his huge local support at the First Direct Arena, moving to 23-0 in the process.
Warrington also held on to his WBC International featherweight strap but even he admitted that one eye was already on the IBF world champion, Selby.
"I got drawn into a fight," he said. "I've always been one of those who likes to go to the trenches. I stand there a little too long but I thought I was hurting him.
"It's a fight [against Selby] the Leeds people want. I just think that when that comes around, I've got what it takes to beat him. I know we all have bad nights but when he's boxed, he hasn't looked elite level."
It was not the first non-stop scrap on a busy boxing night in west Yorkshire and although it was not the first surprising scoring either, the thoughts of many have already turned to a summer showdown with 'The Welsh Mayweather'.
The scoring of 117-111, 118-111, 120-107 was baffling and bemusing, but the fight itself was electric and entertaining from the first to the last bell.
Amagasa is a former world title challenger himself and at 5′ 10½" he was always going to cause problems, but knowing a slip-up could cost him dearly, Warrington was in no mood to be confused, never mind beaten.
With his usual raucous support spurring him on, he jabbed his way into early control, finding plenty of gaps in the rangy Amagasa's guard and looking sharper than ever.
The Japanese switch-hitter is four-and-a-half inches taller than the Leeds man but moving into range was easier than expected for Warrington and for the opening three rounds, he not only moved in and out, but added the uppercut to his early armoury.
Warrington was happy to let Amagasa take centre of the ring as he was buzzing around, even managing to force him onto the ropes. It lead to a third-round onslaught that saw a triple jab spear in before 12 unanswered shots had the visitor pedalling back from corner to corner.
By the end of another impressive round from Warrington, it seemed the Leeds boxer would complete a city sporting weekend hat-trick, the rugby league Rhinos and football's United having both battled to home wins.
But if anyone thought Warrington was going to cruise to another vicory, the sixth round changed everything. Finally coming forward, Amagasa started to land frequently, his wide and wild left hook involved in his best round.
Warrington was kept on the back foot for the seventh and eighth, his nose bloodied, but after settling down and getting back behind his jab, the 'Leeds Warrior' came roaring back.
A big right uppercut shook Amagasa for the first time and in the 10th, it seemed Warrington was on course for only his fifth stoppage success as a cracking left and a follow-up right had his opponent on the ropes, a vicious left hook leaving the Japanese gasping.
It seemed to ensure he had done enough when it went to the scorecards and even as they both swapped closing shots, Warrington's accuracy stayed with him - as did his unbeaten record.