The first year in the career of Otha Jones III hasn't been anything like you'd expect in the handling of a 19-year old prospect.

At the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Toledo's Jones endured yet another grueling test, scoring a four-round majority decision over Houston's Eric Manriquez.

Scores were 38-38 even, along with 39-37 and 40-36 in favor of Jones (4-0, 1KOs), a former amateur standout who has been matched aggressively through his first ten months as a pro.

Jones boxed smartly in the early going, realizing a durable foe in front of him and not looking to expend unnecessary energy. Manriquez turned the tide in round three, both through clean punching and questionable tactics, the latter a headbutt which left Jones wincing out of his left eye. Two way action ensued in the fourth and final round, enough to even things up on one card but not quite enough for Manriquez (7-9-1, 3KOs) to pull off the upset.

Movladdin Biyarslanov was forced to endure all sorts of firsts in a six-round win over South Bend, Indiana's Tyrome Jones in their lightweight preliminary bout.

Scores were 59-55 twice and 58-56 in favor of Biyarslanov, who in one fell swoop was extended past three rounds and to the scorecards for the first time in his career, along with having to overcome two facial cuts to resume his winning ways.

Jones (4-6-1, 1KO) proved far tougher—and better—than his upside down record suggested, a lesson quickly discovered by his more polished opponent. Biyaraslanov (5-0, 4KOs)—a native of Chechnya before relocating at age four to Canada, whom he represented in the 2016 Rio Olympics—worked behind a steady left jab out of the southpaw stance, though his power game was sorely missing. Three 1st round knockouts and a 3rd round stoppage comprised of his young pro career to date, but Jones was game for the cause in extending the young prospect into the 4th round for the first time in his career.

By that point, Biyarslanov was forced to contend with a cut over his right eye, and would also endure a laceration across the bridge of his nose. The sight of his own blood didn't deter him, as he picked up the pace in round four, though unable to dent the sturdy chin of Jones. He never stopped trying for the knockout—his intense cornermen wouldn't give him that option—but ultimately heard the scorecards read for the first time as a pro.