Jean Pascal beat Chad Dawson on points Saturday night after the fight was stopped in the 11th and retained his WBC light heavyweight title at the Bell Centre.
The fight was halted after an accidental clash of heads opened a deep cut above Dawson's right eye and prevented the American from continuing.
It went to the scorecards, and Pascal (26-1) got the win over Dawson (29-1) when the judges turned in two cards of 106-103 and another of 108-101.
''Chad Dawson is a great fighter, but now I know I also belong among the best in the world,'' Pascal said. ''I showed that I'm the best light heavyweight in the world and that I should be on the pound-for-pound list.''
Dawson and his promoter, Gary Shaw, were upset with Montreal referee Michael Griffin, who they said allowed Pascal to hold on several occasions, and Canadian judge Jack Woodburn, who turned in the 108-101 score while British and American judges had it 106-103.
There was a rematch clause in the fight contract that surely will be exercised, but Shaw said any new fight will not include Griffin and Woodburn.
''The head butt was intentional in my estimation,'' Shaw said. ''I thought the ref should have let Chad fight the last two rounds. He had Pascal in trouble.''
Dawson was hurting Pascal with combinations, and the local favorite appeared to be in trouble when his head came up and made contact with Dawson's forehead, opening the cut that stopped the fight.
''I know for sure I'm not a dirty fighter, and it wasn't an intentional head butt,'' Pascal said. ''Why would I need to do that? I was leading the fight.''
Dawson also was upset with the decision, saying his opponent should be happy with his ''little victory.''
''There were four or five head butts, and the ref didn't do anything,'' he said. ''But we have a rematch clause, and I will be back, and I will bring the title back to the States.''
