W.D. Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio - In a clash of undefeated 32-year-old heavyweights, Floridian Trevor Bryan (22-0, 15 KOs) utilized 20-lb. weight and five-inch height advantages to retain his WBA "regular" crown for the initial time in a split-decision triumph over WBA No.13-ranked contender Jonathan Guidry (17-1-2, 10 KOs), of Dulac, La.

Judges Nathan Palmer and Brian Kennedy saw the fight 118-109 and 116-111 respectively for Bryan, while Steve Weisfeld scored it 115-112 for Guidry.

“Trevor Bryan is here to stay," said Bryan. “I showed that tonight. I am only going to get better and keep improving my skills. I worked until the final bell. I am taking my talents overseas. I am going to make those fights against the top three, which is Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Oleksandr Usyk. I deserve those fights. This is a steppingstone for me. Shout out to Jonathan Guidry. He was a tough opponent.”

Despite suffering his first pro defeat, Guidry, who is a crabber back in his native Louisiana, earned the crowd’s respect by standing toe-to-toe with the taller champion, overcoming a swollen right eye, effectively landing jabs from in close, and never becoming rattled.

“It was a close fight,” said Guidry after the decision was announced. “We only trained for four weeks for this fight. I want another shot at it. If I get in a little bit better shape, I’ll put on a better show. It was heartbreaking. If I had a little bit more gas in the tank, I could have gotten him (Bryan).”

With Bryan aiming to end the bout and not leave the outcome in the judges’ hands, the champion sent a wobbly Guidry to the canvas for the fight’s lone knockdown as the final bell sounded.

“The last round he caught me in my neck,” Guidry recalled. “I feel really good. I wasn’t supposed to make it this far.”