Middleweight prospect Dominic Wade escaped with a split 10-round decision over former titleholder Sam Soliman on Friday in the main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation from Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Washington.

Wade (18-0, 12 KOs), of Washington, D.C., won by scores of 97-93, 95-94 and 93-96. Soliman (44-13, 1 NC, 18 KOs), of Melbourne, Australia, suffered a disputed knockdown in Round 4.

“This was by far my toughest fight, and my best win as a pro,” Wade stated in a Showtime press release. “I knew there was going to be a problem fighting an experienced, totally awkward guy like that. Really, it’s impossible to prepare for a fight like this. But I kept my poise throughout and that was a key.

Many observers thought Soliman landed enough clean punches to deserve the decision.

“I definitely felt I won, and I think Wade knows I won, too,” Soliman said. “He never hurt me once. The knockdown that he got credit for wasn’t even a knockdown. It didn’t come from a punch. He literally pushed me down.

“That everyone after the fight came up to me and said I won takes some of the sting out of not getting the decision. These kinds of decisions can bring some fighters down, but this will only make me stronger. I don’t agree with the decision at all, but this is boxing and I have to accept it.”

There was much less drama in the two other televised fights presented by TGB Promotions.

In the co-feature, 19-year-old former amateur standout and talented unbeaten super welterweight Erickson Lubin (11-0, 8 KOs), of Orlando Fla., scored two knockdowns en route to a 2:49, first-round knockout over Ayi Bruce (23-10, 15 KO’s), of Albany, N.Y., who was fighting for the first time in 16 months.

“I expected to take him out, maybe in a couple of rounds, but not that fast,” said the up-and-coming southpaw who is one of the youngest boxers to appear on ShoBox. “I took my time and was pacing myself. I don’t think he hit me once.

“I want to keep moving up and fighting better competition so I can become a true contender. I’m ready to fight again tomorrow. Tonight, actually.”

In the ShoBox opener, former international amateur star Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs), a Montreal-based Colombian who represented Colombia in the 2008 Olympic Games, remained undefeated with a devastating 2:25 first-round TKO over outclassed Jason Pettaway (17-3, 10 KOs), of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

A brutal, vicious puncher, Rivas was impressive in his United States and ShoBox debut. He overwhelmed Rivas from the outset, scoring three knockdowns. He had two points taken away for hitting Pettaway late and while he was down after the first knockdown, but it hardly mattered.

While delighted with his performance, Rivas felt the points’ deduction was unwarranted.

“I didn’t think he was on the floor,” he said. “I didn’t think his knee was down and he was holding on to the ropes. So he wasn’t down and I kept punching.