Three months ago a blemish appeared on Argie Ward's fight record when Rocky Dean held him to a draw, but the Darlington boxer made up for that by taking victory when the two super-bantamweights met again last Friday.

The Londoner travelled north with high hopes of causing an upset, but Ward took the bout by the narrowest of margins, winning 58-57.

It was tough to call, but in the fourth round Dean was put on the seat of his pants with a stunning upper cut from Ward that would've been enough to win most contests by knockout.

But Dean got back to his feet, and although Ward did his best to finish the fight, it was left to a points decision.

In July, Ward started the fight at a blistering pace and paid for it in later rounds as Dean came on strong, but last week saw an altogether different approach. This time he adopted a more measured attack, and it did the trick.

"Everything went to plan," said Ward. "My method was to come out steady away and let him come at me. Last time I came out a bit quick because I was a bit anxious after being out of the ring for seven months.

"I didn't expect him to get back up after that uppercut. He was on the ropes and I caught him with his hands open a little bit so I didn't think he'd get back on his feet.

"I tried to go for the knockout after that.

"I've watched the video and you can see that it was always going to be really tight but I think I did enough to deserve the win."

Now that Ward has avenged that summer draw he feels able to look ahead.

Unbeaten in five bouts, with four wins behind him, a fight in London next month is in the offing.

He said: "Now I've made up for that draw I had against him, it's sorted my record out.

"Everything is coming together nicely now.

"Last Friday's win has got the ball rolling again."