MEMPHIS, June 18: Undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor retained his titles after battling challenger Winky Wright to a 12-round draw on Saturday.

The three official judges scored the fight 115-113 for Taylor, 115-113 for Wright and the third 114-114, resulting in the draw.

Wright was furious with the decision, bolting from the ring as soon as it was announced.

Taylor (25-0-1, 17 KOs) won the middleweight title with an upset win over Bernard Hopkins last July and followed that up with another close win over Hopkins in the rematch in December.

It was his second title defence and he attempted to control the fight with his power punching.

But Wright (50-3-1, 25 KOs), who had won 11 straight fights since a loss in 1999, was just as effective with his strong technical style as he fought as a middleweight for just the third time.

Neither boxer could gain any real advantage throughout the fight, although Taylor's left eye was closed in the final round due to swelling.

Taylor earned $3.75 million for the fight, while Wright's pay day was $3.5 million. —Reuters