By Alexey Sukachev

Russia - Rising Uzbek welterweight sensation Qudratillo "The Silent Assassin" Abduqaxorov (12-0, 8 KOs) strengthened his position in the welterweight ranks and moved close to its top-ten, maybe even breaking in, after his arguably most impressive career win over Russian fringe contender Dmitry Mikhaylenko.

Abduqaxorov, 23, decisioned his more experienced foe unanimously over twelve rounds of bloody action.

WBO/IBF #11 and WBC #13 welterweight Mikhaylenko (22-2, 10 KOs), 31, started relatively fast mixing it up with the defending Uzbek. The Russian fighter moved forward, trying to bring it to the close quarters against the taller Uzbek.

For the first three rounds it was an even fight, both combatants exchanging punches at a high pace. After third, however, Mikhaylenko started to feel fatigue, his punches mostly missing while Abduqaxorov was very precise with his counter right hands. Abduqaxorov was also very flexible and fast enough to avoid being hit often.

The end of the fifth was arguably the key moment of the fight, as an accidental headbutt opened a huge cut over the right side of Mikhaylenko's forehead, right above his eye. Abduqaxorov was deducted a point by referee Daniel Van de Wiele of Belgium - in full accordance with the WBC rules and regulations. Still it was a moment of truth, as Mikhaylenko started to deteriorate faster under harsh circumstances, while the Uzbek got more and more confidence with each fought round.

After the mid-point, the fight was all Abdu's. Qudratillo moved around the ring, peppered Mikhaylenko with an assortment of various punches, adding power shots when needed. His face a bloody mess, Mikhaylenko bravely fought back but hardly succeeded in doing so. Abduqaxorov pressed for the stoppage but got none, yet piling up enough points to make it look easy... If not to look at both fighters' faces.

The Final scores were: 117-110, 116-111 and 116-114 - for the Uzbek who retained his WBC Silver 147lb title for the first time.

WBC #7, WBA #8 and IBF #10 Abduqaxorov started his pro career in October 2015 and went 5-0, 5 KOs, before relocating himself to the Far East, where he went 6-0, 3 KOs, while fighting in Singapore and Malaysia. Mikhaylenko lost his bid for a vacant WBC Silver belt in May 2016 in a close fight against Zimbabwean Charles Manyuchi. Manyuchi was blitzed in one by Abduqaxorov in March 2017.