Nicola Adams’ first fight in nearly a year wasn’t nearly as pretty as it was effective in maintaining her unbeaten ways.

The two-time Olympic Gold medalist from Leeds, England registered the first successful defense of her flyweight title the hard way, settling for a split decision with Mexico’s Maria Salinas over 10 rounds Friday evening at Royal Albert Hall in the Kensington section of London, England.

Adams was awarded an absurd 97-93 tally on the card of Mihau Leu while Salinas won 96-94 in the eyes of Ingo Barrabas. Howard John Foster saw the action level at 95-95, allowing Adams to escape with her flyweight title still intact.

For better or for worse, the title fight marked yet another historic footnote in the storied boxing career of Adams (5-0-1, 3KOs). She became the first  female fighter to claim an Olympic Gold medal, doing so in the 2012 London Olympics which also crowned Ireland’s Katie Taylor and United States’ Claressa Shields.

Adams’ repeat Gold medal win four years later came one day prior to Sheids’ honors in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Sheids and Taylor have gone on to far greater accolades in the pro ranks this far, while Adams remains a work in progress.

Friday’s contest came with the distinction of being the first-ever female bout to be staged at the historic Royal Albert Hall. It wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing affair, ring rust perhaps playing a factor as Adams looked at times like a boxer who hasn’t fought in 51 weeks.

Salinas (21-7-4, 7KOs) played a big part in that, her efforts on the road drawing rousing applause from the crowd on hand who began the night cheering for their countrywoman.

Adams never truly found her rhythm, looking out of sorts in trying to solve Salinas’ aggressive approach. The visiting challenger was warned late in round two for roughhousing, although it was Adams who was forced to clinch in much of the frame.

Salinas dialed up the pressure in the second half, scoring with right hand shots which Adams absorbed well but didn’t always have a response. The unbeaten titlist was at her best when he was able to create separation between the two, though not nearly enough in the eyes of two of the three judges.

After 10 completed rounds, both boxers felt they’d done enough to deserve the win. In that regard, perhaps the final draw verdict was fitting although the crowd clearly disapproved. More telling was the fact that Adams entered as the house favorite but left the ring to a mixture of boos.

Most important in the end, however, was the fact that she remained unbeaten and still a flyweight titlist.

The bout aired live on BT Sport in the United Kingdom and ESPN+ in the United States, in supporting capacity to a clash of unbeaten heavyweights between London’s Daniel Dubois and Ghana’s Ebenezer Tetteh.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox