His stock dropped considerably here, though The Ring's No. 3-rated light heavyweight contender could breathe a sigh of relief after hearing he'd won a contentious split decision (115-113, 112-116, 115-113) against British spoiler Lerrone Richards (19-2, 4 KOs).

Richards relished heading into enemy territory and would've been glad this was rescheduled after their original February 5 date was shelved at the 11th hour. Yet the contrast in their faces at the final bell spoke volumes and almost apologetic as they exchanged words after the result was official.

The interim champion is more used to facing come-forward styles, but here had a tough puzzle to decipher as the visiting southpaw sought to spoil and stifle his work on the inside wherever possible. The gameplan required discipline aplenty but worked a treat, so much so that coupled with his tight defense, he rarely absorbed big shots.

Ramirez was slower to throw and connect from close-range, the 33-year-old challenger relished point-scoring and chipping away at the Venezuelan's resolve while time ticked by without much in the way for the Montreal Casino crowd to celebrate.

Richards boxed clever and used his physical frame to drain the fan favorite, as their exchanges often finished with tying up on the inside during rounds that were proving tough to score.

Competitive and close heading into the final few rounds, variations of imploring urgency came from Ramirez's corner before Russ Anber told him plainly in Spanish: "Two rounds left, you need to work," and David Coldwell in the opposing corner encouraged his stoic charge to deliver a big final round to finish a grueling night's work.

On the undercard, there was just one contest going the distance as Canadian lightweight Avery Martin Duval (16-0-1, 8 KOs) pitched a shutout against Mexico's Jose Rodolfo Macias Enriquez.

Imam Khataev (12-1, 11 KOs) climbed off the canvas to stop France's Mickael Diallo (21-3-2, 18 KOs) after a one-round shootout for The Ring's No. 5-rated light heavyweight while rising lightweight Dzmitry Asanau (13-0, 7 KOs) scored his third consecutive stoppage (TKO6, 1:51) to dismiss longtime Venezuelan contender Roger Gutierrez.

Ring ambassador Jhon Orobio (18-0, 16 KOs) made the fourth defense of his WBC regional title, needing four rounds to dismiss Jonathan Montrel (19-5, 13 KOs) as the 22-year-old junior welterweight talent looks to transition from hot prospect to bonafide contender.