Australian veteran Danny Green has made a triumphant return to the boxing ring, beating Argentine Roberto Bolonti at Hisense Arena.
In his first fight in almost three years the 42-year-old won an unanimous points decision after all three judges scored the contest 100-90 in favour of the West Australian.
Green dominated from the outset but the opening rounds were low on scoring punches, with Bolonti happy to take some punishment.
Bolonti threw some wild haymakers, looking for a quick knock-out, but none found their target.
Green, who won the IBO cruiserweight world title at the same venue in 2012, stepped it up in the sixth round, landing a huge body shot but the 36-year-old Argentine was still unmoved.
The West Australian started to tire in the eighth round and looked grateful for a short break for some handiwork on his gloves.
But he showed he still had what it takes, with his jab doing some damage and his defence tight enough to deflect any of Bolonti's blows.
The full-house in Melbourne cheered Green home in the final round but he couldn't finish his opponent off.
Green has earmarked long-time rival Anthony Mundine for a rematch next year.
He will take some confidence from the win, with Bolonti only losing three times in his 39-fight career.
Bolonti was drafted in last week when Green's original opponent Tamas Kovacs suffered a neck injury.
Green assessed his performance after the fight, which improved his career record to 34-5, as "not too bad" for a 42-year-old who hasn't fought for almost three years.
"It was an awkward fight," Green said.
"He (Bolonti) is no mug, he's a very hard, tough man; he's a survivor, he's an ox."
Green taunted Mundine, who has so far resisted his call for another duel with the pair unable to come to financial terms.
"He's talking 60:40, this that," Green said.
"I ask the people of Australia who they will pay to see fight more, me or Anthony Mundine? The pay-per-view figures tell the story."
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