Ben Whittaker secured a decisive victory in his grudge rematch against Liam Cameron at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham - but was then immediately forced to deny spitting at his rival's camp.
The West Bromwich fighter claimed the IBF International light-heavyweight title with a devastating second-round knockout.
Olympic silver medallist Whittaker ended the contest with a powerful right hand followed by a flurry of punches that left the Sheffield fighter on shaky legs.
The emphatic win settled the score after their controversial first encounter, where both fighters fell out of the ring.
Ben Whittaker secured a decisive victory in his grudge rematch against Liam Cameron at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
REUTERS
What followed, however, sparked controversy as Whittaker approached Cameron's corner.
He poked his head through the ropes and celebrated directly in the face of Cameron's cornermen.
This post-fight behaviour immediately drew criticism from some observers at ringside.
Accusations quickly emerged that Whittaker had spat at Cameron's corner during his celebration.
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Ben Whittaker said something to Liam Cameron's corner after winning their boxing match
REUTERS
Whittaker firmly denied this allegation in his post-fight interview, however, while also insisting that he's not a 'bad guy'.
"You heard everybody boo me, they portray me as a bad guy," he told Sky Sports.
"But I work very hard and my emotions came out - and I was roaring like a lion. If a little bit of dribble came out a bit of dribble came out."
The incident divided opinion among boxing experts and fans alike.
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Sky Sports commentator Dave Coldwell immediately branded Whittaker's actions as "classless" during the broadcast.
However, Whittaker's trainer Andy Lee offered a defence of his fighter.
"The barrage of insults he's had to put up since the the first fight with Cameron... not many people could put up with what he's gone through," Lee said.
"His emotions are bound to get carried away. He is an emotional guy and he did lose control, but this is a champion."
Johnny Nelson also supported Whittaker, saying: "It was emotion coming out. Frustration.
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"Because of what he's gone through, he's been vilified. It's him saying 'I'm not washed up, everything you've said about me is complete rubbish. It's human emotion.'"
Not everyone was as forgiving of Whittaker's behaviour.
Callum Simpson criticised the fighter's actions, particularly towards Cameron's corner team.
"When you know what a good person Grant Smith is, I think it's bang out of order," Simpson said.
"I think he's very lucky he's got Andy Lee in his corner, who spoke for him and took him over to Cameron's corner."
Ben Whittaker needed just two rounds to beat Liam Cameron on Sunday night
REUTERS
The rematch came after their first fight ended in unusual circumstances last October.
Both men fell over the ropes during that contest, with Whittaker unable to continue due to injury.
The judges scored it a split-decision draw, with Whittaker leaving the arena in a wheelchair before the results were announced.
There had been significant bad blood between the two fighters in the build-up to this rematch as a result.
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