OPINION: Joseph Parker is still the WBO Heavyweight Champion of the World, and he'll be a relieved man tonight.
Parker knew what he had to do - he had to go to Manchester and knock out Hughie Fury, and boy did he try. Parker was aggressive, and he forced the pace of the fight in a way we haven't seen in recent times.
But ultimately, he couldn't land the crucial blows.
As expected, Hughie Fury was awkward and elusive. He went the distance, he ran around the ring and clearly felt he was set to run away with Parker's title when the bout went to the scorecards.
Whether you felt that way watching the fight, it doesn't matter. The scoring itself tells a story of the lottery you enter when you fail to end the fight on your terms.
For one judge to score the fight a draw while their two contemporaries gave it to Parker by eight clear rounds is scary.
Curiously Terry O'Connor, the man whose appointment as the referee for the fight caused such outrage from the Parker camp that he was removed and installed as one of the judges, was one of those who scored the fight overwhelmingly in favour of Parker.
Speaking to Kevin Barry only moments ago, even he was surprised to see the scores.
Parker and his team will be glad this is over. This chapter of his career has been frustrating and challenging inside and outside of the ring.
Hughie Fury and his camp have been difficult to deal with - doping allegations, uncertainly, injury, a postponement, a change of venue. All of this at a time when Parker's been facing up to changes with his promoter.
This result gives him some space. His mandatory obligation has been met and Team Parker can now choose where they go from here.
While Parker didn't get the explosive knockout he was after to catapult him to superstardom, he now has a presence in the UK that his team can capitalise on.
The most important thing is he remains undefeated. He still has the WBO Heavyweight belt around his waist. Manchester Mission, accomplished.
Andrew Gourdie is a reporter for Newshub sport.
