SHEFFIELD, England -- Junaid Bostan suffered a career-first professional defeat Saturday night in a back-and-forth battle with Bilal Fawaz saw the underdog wrestle away English junior middleweight honours at the second time of asking.

Nine months earlier, many felt Fawaz did enough to emerge victorious but the outcome was contentiously deemed a majority draw after 10 rounds at London's Indigo at the O2.

The 37-year-old told reporters of his promise to erase any doubts second time around but his stunned post-fight celebrations - announcer blunder aside - typified another evenly-matched encounter where neither could be convinced of victory at the final bell.

Naturally, the Nigerian-born Londoner will fancy his chances in a step-up towards British honours as time is of the essence. Sam Gilley-Ishmael Davis is confirmed for the famed Lonsdale belt as part of the Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn 2 undercard next month.

Esteemed amateur Fawaz (10-1-1, 3 KOs) could've turned pro a decade earlier if not for a series of issues, obstacles and hardship related to his British citizenship and naturally will look to maximise his earning potential in a sport where tomorrow is never promised.

However, there's already interest in an immediate trilogy from Bostan's Matchroom promoters after their closely-contested battle stole the show at a buzzing Utilita Arena and was even more compelling than the first meeting on January 31, which many critics believed would kickstart Bostan's professional campaign at domestic title level.

Post-fight, Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith told The Ring: "I had Bostan winning by a round in a very close fight, it could've gone either way but all credit to both. Junaid getting back up after that third round, going in the fourth like nothing had happened, he's matured so much from that first fight and deserves a lot of credit, he'll be back stronger."

Fawaz caught Bostan clean with a big overhand right he didn't see coming midway through the third round, before swarming him with combinations as the Rotherham youngster somehow managed to stay on his feet and avoid being counted for a knockdown.

Despite looking worse for wear and in desperate need of respite, the 23-year-old responded defiantly in the fourth while the proverbial fog cleared and his unsteady legs slowly returned under him once more.

Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn, who streamed a watchalong from Jaron Ennis' changing room in Philadelphia some 3,600 miles away, said running it back again was 'quite possible' when asked immediately after the scorecards.

"Junaid's still got a big future ahead, he's a young man and showed tremendous heart but you've got to give this guy [Fawaz] credit, he's had no opportunities his whole life."

Fawaz doesn't have a promotional deal and was seen celebrating with his team, including a delighted boxing manager and promoter Stephen Goodwin ringside.

It's unclear whether Matchroom will look to agree contract terms, especially as he previously expressed frustration waiting for rescheduled dates after Bostan twice had illness earlier in the year. However, the wily veteran now has leverage many didn't expect.

"It was a tremendous fight, a trilogy makes the most sense and is definitely possible if both are up for it. Junaid will be upset right now but we could look to do that, it was an improved performance from him in there, let's see," Smith continued.