By Alexey Sukachev

A year and a half ago Vasily Lepikhin was in title contention, being considered as one of the brightest little gems in boxing. Tonight, after a very pale performance against unheralded journeyman Mark Chimidov, his future is as foggy as it was several years ago after he had suffered multiple injuries, which kept him off the ring for three years. Chimidov fought brilliantly, getting an undeserved draw in a fight he in fact won.

The bout crowned a night of boxing and MMA at the Arena of Ekaterinburg, promoted by Sergey Trofimov. Lepikhin, 30, was fighting for the first time since his one-sided loss to Isaac Chilemba a year go, which followed solid wins over Jackson Junior and Robert Berridge. Chimidov, 28, has never won or lost inside the distance, his career starting less than two years ago. As always, Lepikhin started slowly, relying on his defense at the ropes. Chimidov took the initiative to press Lepikhin, throwing multiple body punches and overworking the Professor. Lepikhin fought well but was less active than his opponent.

In the middle rounds Lepikhin began to fight more and more aggressively but Chimidov, while losing in some exchanges, did well inside and showed guts and solid chin to take some heavy punches. Lepikhin wasn't focused and looked faded and disoriented. Unlike his best performances, he did almost nothing at the ropes in the closing rounds and was very unwilling against a perfectly motivated opponent. Chimidov overpowered and outboxed Lepikhin in the closing two rounds of this eight-rounder. Sadly for him, just one judges had it 77-75 - for him. He was overruled by the other two, who scored it 76-76 and unrealistic 78-75 - for the home fighter. Lepikhin slides to 17-1-1, 9 KOs, while Chimidov is now 3-2-2. BoxingScene had it 77-75 - for Chimidov. Lepikhin has to think about his future as his career is at its mid-point at the very least.

Undercard:

In a frenetic fight, 19-year old Alexander Kotov (3-0, 1 KO) scored his first career win, stopping durable Uzbek Lazizbek Uzokov (3-11-2, 2 KOs) in the sixth round. Kotov ate multiple shots, as did Uzokov but dug deep to find extra energy in the closing stanza of a six-rounder.

Promising super middleweight Vyacheslav Barsukov (2-0, 1 KO) stopped no-hoper Ivan Antropov with a body punch in round tow. Antropov is now 0-6 and is still to hear a final bell in a fight.

21-year old Tajik Shuhrat Jalilov (3-0-1, 1 KO) outpointed fight veteran Sergey Yurovskikh (7-11-2, 1 KO) over four rounds.

Debuting Sirahudin Agaev (1-0, 1 KOs) dropped Maxim Potapov (0-4) for a full count with a left hand in round one.

In a battle of unbeatens, late sub Rustem Fatkullin (4-0) pressed the action and outboxed Grigoriy Nikolaychuk (1-1) over four round, dropping him in round three.