DILLIAN WHYTE made his ring return to fight Jermaine Franklin at Wembley Arena.
And it was very close fight for the Body Snatcher, who prevailed by a majority decision after an absorbing clash.
While Whyte's former rival Anthony Joshua was sitting ringside with the two set for a potential HUGE fight next year.
Whyte had been out of action since his destructive knockout loss to Tyson Fury earlier this year across the road at Wembley Stadium.
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Whyte vs Franklin
Judges score the bout 115-115 a draw and 116-112 (x2) and your winner by majority decision... Dillian Whyte.
A big final three rounds have seen Whyte escape victorious but it was far from convincing.
He now heads into a rematch with Anthony Joshua, who is ringside, next year.
Whyte vs Franklin
We now await the judges scorecards.
Whyte had a big last three rounds, the final especially but Franklin was solid throughout.
Be interesting reading as the judges scores follow shortly...
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 12 – Franklin lands with some nice combinations early in the round but Whyte comes on strong.
A couple of heavy right uppercuts land and Franklin was wobbled.
Really big push from Whyte at the ends sees him land some big rights and a left hook had Franklin backed into the ropes and fortunate to see the fight go the distance.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 11 – The round sparks into life at the end as Whyte scores with a sneaky right uppercut.
The pair then trade heavy blows on the inside but nothing clean for either man.
Whyte may have fought his way back into it with a round to go after conceding too many earlier in the bout.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 10 – Franklin came out the traps quickly, lading a sharp left hook to head and body.
But Whyte imposed himself down the stretch and started backing up Franklin.
He ended the round with a looping right hand that had Franklin shaken, the kind of thing he needs more of.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 9 – Whyte landed his trademark left hook but Franklin took it well.
The American then came on strong and really let his hands go, even shaking Whyte towards the end of the round.
Franklin could be pulling away with it here - is a shock on the horizon?
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 8 – Back and fourth round with Franklin starting well, landing a massive overhand right.
But Whyte came into it as the round progressed, although he looks to be forcing his work a bit.
Franklin is the more comfortable of the two but neither are necessarily in the driving seat.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 7 – Better round for Whyte after coming out with more aggression.
He landed some meaty looking hooks but Franklin responded well when he needed to.
Whyte wasn't too far away with the right uppercut but Franklin showed good defence to slip away.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 6 – Whyte started the round well, landing a few sneaky uppercuts.
But again, Franklin came on strong down the stretch and landed some lovely body shots.
A right hook even had Whyte slightly shaken and marks the American's best round.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 5 –A lot of the round was boxed on the inside, with both throwing clubbing blows but nothing landing.
Franklin again landed some eye-catching combinations and at one point spun Whyte and got his work off.
Heading into the second half soon with the fight there for the taking.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 4 – Pace of the bout drops slightly as Whyte plods forward, looking for body shots and his left hook.
Franklin responding well too in spots, letting his hands go although Whyte caught a lot of the gloves.
Hard round to score and the momentum is still there for the taking.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 3 – Great round of action there, Whyte came out strong landing to head and body in numbers.
But Franklin showed his speed and combination punching of his own.
Neither man he put a dent in the other yet but it's warming into a great contest.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 2 – Whyte started the round in much better fashion, landing a couple of stinging right hands to the body.
But as the round progressed, Franklin came into it a lot more and started throwing in combinations.
Whyte was defensively sound but Franklin is here to win and putting the pressure on.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 1 – Cagey opener but Franklin definitely gave Whyte something to think about.
Whyte working well behind the jab but fell short a couple of times and needs to watch out for Franklin's counter.
This one could catch fire at any moment.
Whyte vs Franklin
Round 1 - Here we go!
Whyte comes out taking centre ring, pumping out the jab.
Franklin defensively sound, he needs to avoid getting hurt early.
Whyte vs Franklin
Both fighters have been introduced and we're moments away from the main event of the evening.
Will it be Jermaine Franklin's coming out party or Dillian Whyte's dream return?
We're about to find out.
Whyte vs Franklin
Here comes Jermaine Franklin, who looks composed as he walks to the ring.
And Dillian Whyte is just behind him, returning for the first time since being knocked out by Tyson Fury in April.
Must-win occasion for Whyte, who has Anthony Joshua in attendance and primed for a rematch next year.
Wardley speaks out
He says: “It’s been a bit of a journey and so far so good. I have been in some good fights and put on some good shows.
"I am from the Dillian Whyte school of hard knocks, we go to war in sparring and we go to war in the ring.
“I was hurt in the second, Nathan is good but I am used to taking big shots so it is no problem to me, I just bite down on my gumshield and get the job done.
"I want to be headlining shows, 2023 is the year of Fabio Wardley."
AJ in the house
Anthony Joshua has taken his seat ringside and will be a keen viewer for the night's main event.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has already said the winner between Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin will welcome AJ back to the ring next year.
All the play for.
Wardley vs Gorman
Cracking fight with Wardley scoring three knockdowns and stopping Gorman on his feet.
Gorman boxed well in spots but failed to recover after the first knockdown.
Wardley improves to 15-0 with now 14 KOs and has some big fights in his future.
Wardley vs Gorman
Round 3 – Gorman is down again but he makes it to his feet. Third knockdown of the fight.
The fight has been stopped!
Three knockdowns for Wardley, who looks to have a battered nose, and Gorman is stopped!
Wardley vs Gorman
Round 2 – GORMAN KNOCKED DOWN!
Excellent action here as the two trade blow for blow. Again Gorman is floored but he makes it to his feet.
What a round of boxing. Wardley dropped Gorman twice, firstly with a big right hand then battering him to the canvas with a combo.
Wardley vs Gorman
Round 1 - Really exciting first round with both trading big punches in the pocket.
Wardley had Gorman backed up in stages but couldn't find home with anything telling.
Gorman on the other hand pulled away down the stretch of the round with some sharp combinations and uppercuts.
Wardley vs Gorman
Both heavyweights in the ring and being introduced to the crowd.
This acts as the night's co-headliner and a brilliant warm up for Dillian Whyte's main event with Jermaine Franklin.
The clash of styles between Wardley and Gorman even has people predicting it could steal the show as fight of the night.
Wrapped and ready
While we await Wardley and Gorman's arrival to the ring, Dillian Whyte and Jermiane Franklin and preparing ahead of their headliner.
The heavyweight clash takes place after Wardley and Gorman's British title challenge.
