Nikita Ababiy remained unbeaten as a pro, perhaps learning from his latest performance than at any point this far in his young career.

The promising middleweight was forced to work every step of the way in taking a six-round unanimous decision win over Jarvis Williams. Scores were 59-55, 59-55 and 58-56 in favor of Ababiy in their DAZN-USA livestream preliminary bout Saturday evening from a makeshift outdoor venue in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Williams vowed throughout fight week to shock the world and at least tried his damnest live up to that promise in the opening round. The 31-year old St. Louis native came charging out the gate, connecting upstairs with a right hand and two clean left hooks within the first 30 seconds of the contest. Ababiy was caught off guard but took the shots well, eventually seizing control of the round through power shots of his own. The Brooklyn native established his right hand both upstairs and to the body.

Ababiy opened round two with a double left hook, establishing his presence though still leaving himself open for counter opportunities. Williams rode out a body shot to connect with a left hook of his own, to which Ababiy responded with a series of right hands.

Williams didn’t relent, disallowing Ababiy to enjoy a sustained attack. Ababiy continued to come forward, offense-minded but failing to establish a jab or any other tactic that would force Williams to remain at bay to that point in the fight.

Action slowed in round five, benefitting Ababiy who was finally able to pick his shots and work his jab with regularity for the first time in the fight. Action was called after a left hook by Ababiy strayed low, though due to Williams pulling down the back of his head.

Ababiy reestablished his heavy right hand in the sixth and final round. The 21-year old prospect sized up his opponent before launching lead rights over the top of Williams guard, briefly stunning him with a little more than a minute to go in the fight.

Williams—who was 61-of-247 (25%) according to Compubox statistics—managed to take everything that Ababiy had to offer, though having to settle for a moral victory in going the distance. In reality, it’s a fourth straight fight without a win as he falls to 8-3-1.

Ababiy advances to 9-0 (6KOs), picking up his first victory of 2020 after enjoying a six-win campaign one year prior. The young gun—who looks filled out at middleweight—is considering a move down the scale to junior middleweight.

“He was definitely tough,” admitted Ababiy, who was 73-of-217 (34%) on the night. “There was a little bit of rust due to the layoff and the coronavirus. He was a tough opponent.”

Headlining the five-fight telecast, long-reigning undisputed welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus (36-0, 9KOs) defends her crown versus unified junior welterweight titlist Jessica McCaskill (8-2, 3KOs) who moves up in weight.

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