By Jake Donovan

Given the way the night played out and ultimately ended versus Kevin Bizier, the first loss of Fredrick Lawson's career can either serve as a valuable learning lesson or one from which he never recovers.

The unbeaten boxer from Chicago by way of Ghana was outfought and ultimately forced to retire prior to the start of the 11th round in their welterweight eliminator Saturday evening. The bout served as the main event of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBCSN, headlining at Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida.

A guaranteed crack at unbeaten welterweight titlist Kell Brook was the prize dangled in front of the two boxers, but both camps knew the night represented so much more.

Bizier (25-2, 16KOs) delivered a career-best performance, applying pressure from the opening bell and never letting up until Lawson was encouraged by top boxing trainer Abel Sanchez to remain on his stool due to severe pain and discomfort from a broken jaw he suffered earlier in the fight.

"I know Freddy - and all fighters in his position - want that chance to continue, but I didn't like his reaction after that 10th round," Sanchez told BoxingScene.com. "I saw some swelling on his right jaw, knew that it was broken and asked what he wanted to do.

"I wanted to give him a chance to turn around the fight and let it go as long as it did. The fight reached a point where he had no chance of winning and taking any further punishment would only ruin his career.

Sanchez' decision was wise - Lawson (24-1, 20KOs) was down 98-91 (twice) and 97-92 on all three scorecards prior to the stoppage.

Lawson was taken to a nearby hospital after the fight where, it was confirmed that his jaw was not dislocated but that plenty of rest is required to allow the wounds to heal before returning to the gym.

Bizier will now negotiate a fight with Brook, a remarkable circumstance considering where his career was prior to the fight. The energetic boxer from Canada dropped a pair of decisions to Jo Jo Dan and also struggled mightily in an intended tune-up fight earlier this year, one Bizier admitted he took for granted.

There was nothing to leave to chance on this night, and Bizier fought accordingly.

"The kid fought like a guy who had two losses at this level and knew another loss would put him at opponent status," Sanchez noted of Bizier's performance, also praising trainer Marc Ramsey for his efforts.

The two trainers faced each other just three weeks ago, with Sanchez' star student Gennady Golovkin tearing through the Ramsey-trained David Lemieux in eight rounds last month in New York City. Ten months prior, Ramsey's rising light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev was forced to shake off a 1st round knockdown to stop Jeff Page in two rounds. Sanchez was in Page's corner for that fight, joining his camp on short notice for the one-time deal.

In that sense, Saturday's fight broke the tie between them, although neither trainer pays much attention to it. The pair of top coaches have tremendous respect for another and know to put their fighters first. On this particular occasion, it was Bizier who put his best foot forward.

"Bizier fought like his career was on the line in this fight and I give them all the credit in the world," Sanchez notes.

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