Ekaterinburg, Russia - Moscow-based Moldova native Maxim Cherniciuc (5-0, 1 KO) scored the most impressive win of his short career so far by outpointing previously undefeated Russia-based native of Abkhazia Igor Adleiba (14-1-2, 6 KOs) over eight heated rounds with a unanimous decision.

Adleiba, 24, was aggressive and determined in his offense, while Cherniciuc was smart and elusive in his defense. But the Moldovan was also tough and offered his own offense with brutal right uppercuts and pumping left jab. Adleiba landed his share of blows but Cherniciuc's success was more visible and better felt by Adleiba. Cherniciuc, 21, also ended this fight in style, outboxing and oupunching his already fatigued foe.

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In a very fan-friendly rumble, rising light welterweight prospect Oganes Ustyan, 24, overthrew and outperformed veteran fighter Evgueny Pavko (19-5-1, 13 KOs) over eight rounds of slugfest. The decision was unanimous for Ustyan.

Pavko, 31, stood his ground from round one. He wilted under Ustyan's fire but never lost his composure. Ustyan was first to redden his opponent's face in round two. However, Pavko was able to return this favour in mid rounds, puffing Ustyan's right eye. Ustyan's punch output and also versatility were higher than Pavko's but he also suffered damage in two-way exchanges. Ustyan also worked Pavko's body to slow his foe down. By the end of the fight, however, both boxers were tired but slugged it out till the end.

Ustyan improves to 11-0, 3 KOs. BoxingScene had it 78-74 in his favour.

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In a minor upset, 2019 world championship bronze medalist and 2021 Uzbek Olympian, Bobo-Usmon Baturov (1-0-1) suffered his first setback as a prizefighter. Baturov was held to a split draw by far less experienced but extremely tough Russian welterweight Magomednuri Magomedov (also 1-0-1). All eight rounds of this thrilling slugfest were see-saw with neither fighter getting an edge.

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In a mismatch, WBA #3 cruiserweight Alexey Egorov (12-1, 8 KOs) stayed busy with the second-round stoppage of bigger but vastly overmatched opponent Vladimir Zhigaylov (4-1, 2 KOs). Egorov, 31, who was coming off a decision loss to WBA champion Arsen Goulamirian in November 2022, dropped Zhigaylov twice in the first and twice in the second round forcing referee Victor Panin to wave it off at 0:28 of the second round.

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Welterweight prospect Sergey Lubkovich retained his perfect record but he might need to re-think where his career is going. In a battle of the "Lub-" welterweights Lubkovich scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Vadim Lubsanov in a fight, which was much closer than the verdict indicated.

Lubkovich, who was fighting just for the sixth time over the last four and a half years, struggled to establish his dominance against a smaller but resilient opponent. Lubsanov kept his hands high but Lubkovich didn't capitalize on that by working to the body. Lubsanov lacked power to keep Lubkovich at bay but exchanges were two-sided, and Vadim tagged Sergey cleanly at the end of the second. In rounds four and five Lubkovich looked better but Lubsanov has never been in retreat. The less experienced fighter ended the fight on a high note forcing Lubkovich to fight at the edge in closing rounds.

With the win, Lubkovich, 27, improves to 16-0, 10 KOs, while 26-year old Lubsanov drops down to 6-2, 1 KO. BoxingScene saw it 76-76 - a draw. Lubkovich doesn't look like a fighter who previously stopped 33-3 Victor Plotnikov and 22-2 Juan Ruizm and decisioned Karim Mayfield.

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Heavyweight Alexander Dorofeev (7-0, 3 KOs) scored a workmanlike stoppage over Uzbek opponent Mirzohidjon Abdullaev (3-2-1, 1 KO). Dorofeev was slightly better than the Uzbek in each round, and Abdullaev failed to get out of his corner after the sixth round, citing an injury.

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Short and pudge but also skillful and experienced heavyweight Maxim Babanin (5-0, 4 KOs) heard the final bell for the first time in his career against durable Belarussian Yuri Bykhovtsev (10-26-3, 5 KOs). Babanin, who is best known for having a victory over heavyweight king Tyson Fury back in their amateur days (in 2007), was in full control but the fight was dull and ended in an uneventful six-round unanimous decision. Bykhovtsev suffered his twelfth consecutive loss. He has been stopped three times in his career.

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Featherweight Ivan Chirkov (10-0, 2 KOs) scored his second consecutive stoppage win, finishing his countryman Bislan Biukh (5-4, 4 KOs) in five rounds. Chirkov, who missed eight months out of the ring - his longest career break - started slowly but gradually got into the fight against punch-oriented Bikukh. In rounds three and four, Chirkov seized full control of the fight, and in the fifth he punched Bikukh into submission with an impressive series of punches, prompting the referee to halt the contest.