By Jake Donovan

Tony Harrison rebounded from the first loss of his professional career, outboxing Cecil McCalla over 10 rounds Saturday evening in Houston, Texas.

Scores were 98-92 (twice) and a cruise control-like 100-90 in favor of Harrison, who was briefly stunned in round nine and again right before the final bell but otherwise in full control. 

The bout was Harrison's first since suffering a stunning knockout loss to Willie Nelson this past July in Tampa, Florida. The defeat came after the Detroit native was in control - albeit in a painfully dull boxing match - before getting clipped late in the fight, which helped launch the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) brand on ESPN. 

Another nearly disastrous result came in the opening televised bout in Saturday's offering of PBC on NBC Sports Network. Harrison made it a one-sided battle of jabs for much of the night, able to get away with boxing as McCalla was unable to get off his punches. 

The lack of activity from the Maryland boxer drew the ire of straight shooting trainer Calvin Ford, who was in the corner of unbeaten Gervonta Davis one night earlier in Orlando. Whereas his prized pupil racked up his latest knockout win, the exact opposite was playing out with McCalla, whom Ford urged to let his hands go heading into the final two rounds. 

To his credit, McCalla listened and it helped produce the most dramatic moments of the bout. Harrison caught a right hand midway through the round and - while not nearly in as much trouble as was the case versus McCalla - was hurt enough to where he had to play defense and regroup. 

The rangy super welterweight managed to clear his head enough to actually dare McCalla to follow him to the ropes. Harrison got his wish and countered his opponent to close the round. 

McCalla went for one more home run shot, catching Harrison towards the end of the 10th and final round. It was enough to stun the heavily favored boxer, but came way too late in the fight as the bell sounded soon thereafter to end the co-feature.

Harrison advances to 22-1 (18KOs) with the win, though now extended beyond the eighth round for the second straight fight after having never been taken that deep in 20 previous ring apperances. Still, he's back in the win column and - by his own acknowledgment - remains a work in progress.

As for McCalla, he is sadly approaching opponent status. The loss was his third straight - all coming on regional cable (Fox Sports 1, ESPN2 and now NBCSN) as he falls to 20-3 (7KOs).  

In bonus televised coverage, Caleb Plant maintained his unbeaten record with an eight-round decision over Tyrone Brunson. Scores were 79-73 (twice) and 78-74 in favor of Plant (11-0, 8KOs), who showed poise against a veteran slugger when it became apparent a knockout would not present itself. 

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox