Melbourne Pavillion, Flemington, Victoria, Australia - Former IBF middleweight champion Sam Soliman (45-14-1, 19 KOs), 44 years old, was unable to get his career back on track after fighting to a twelve round majority draw with countryman Wes Capper (19-2-1, 12 KOs).

The vacant IBF International middleweight title, and a world ranking, was at stake in the contest, but the judge saw it 114-113 for Soliman, with two tallies of 114-114 for the draw.

Soliman was able to score a flash knockdown in the second, with Capper's glove touching the mat after being off-balance from a shot, and it was enough to get him over the line with one scorecard - but not with the two remaining judges.

Capper, although an Aussie, has built up his pro record with numerous fights in Mexico and the United States. The very popular Soliman was the obvious hero to the local crowd.

He won his last eight round since suffering his second career defeat, which came by way of a close split decision, back in December of 2015.

Soliman was trying to get his career in order after getting demolished in two rounds by Sergiy Derevyanchenko back in July of 2016. This was his first fight in nearly a year after returning last April to grab a TKO win over journeyman Balazs Horvath.

Soliman, despite the age gap, still had more than enough left in the tank for the 29-year-old Capper.

The veteran used his awkward style to give the younger man some fits during the contest, especially in the first half of the contest. A clash of heads in the fourth round would open up a cut around the left eye of Capper, but his corner was able to handle the situation and prevented the injury from getting worse in the fight.

Capper used a solid jab as the fight played out and applied good pressure down the stretch to come alive in the second half. Soliman held his own at all times and was more than willing to stand his ground when Capper tried to impose his will on him.