By Francisco Salazar

INGLEWOOD - Junior welterweight prospect Shakhram Giyasov won a hard-fought 10 round unanimous decision over Emanuel Taylor.

Giyasov, who earlier in the week signed a co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing, was hurt by a left hook by Taylor in the first round. Giyasov was able to hold on and make it through the round.

Giyasov, who is originally from Uzbekistan and now lives and trains in Indio, California, let his hands go, connecting with several right hands to the head.

Taylor was savvy enough to counter with left hooks or right hands over Giyasov’s punches. As the bout progressed, Taylor’s punch output dropped significantly.

Taylor looked spent during the final two rounds of the fight, allowing Giyasov to press forward and connect with several right hands to the head.

Scores were 99-91, 99-91, and 97-93 for Giyasov, which do not reflect the competitiveness and how close the fight was. Giyasov improves to 8-0, 6 KOs.

Taylor, who had not fought since getting knocked out by Lucas Matthysse in May of 2017, falls to 20-6, 14 KOs.

Middleweight prospect Diego Pacheco, who resides in nearby South Central Los Angeles, knocked out Guillermo Maldonado (1-1) in the opening round.

Pacheco (3-0, 2 KOs) battered Maldonado around the ring until a left-right combination dropped Maldonado to the canvas. Referee Jerry Cantu immediately stopped the bout at 1:46.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing