Paddy Donovan secured himself another world title shot, winning his IBF welterweight title final eliminator with a majority decision victory over Karen Chukhadzhian in Mannheim, Germany on Friday.
Donovan (15-2, 11 KOs) dropped Chukhadzhian (26-4, 14 KOs) in the sixth and eighth rounds and emerged victorious by scores of 115-113, 114-112, overruling a drawn scorecard of 113-113.
Donovan, coming off the back of two straight losses to Lewis Crocker, opted to box on the backfoot from the outset and landed a couple of accurate body shots in the opening round.
Chukhadzhian, unbeaten in two since a second defeat to Jaron Ennis, replied with some meaty shots of his own in the second, a left hand catching Donovan’s attention.
‘The Real Deal’ stumbled the Ukrainian back with a left hand at the end of the third, but the 30-year-old responded continued to march forward in the fourth, a right hand at the end of the round the best of his work.
Donovan found the breakthrough in the sixth round, countering his foe with a hard left hand.
Chukhadzhian made it to his feet, appearing more frustrated than hurt.
The Ukrainian was down again and counted in the eighth, this time from a right hand, although he protested it was due to a push.
The pair continued to trade in a frantic ninth, with the Irishman connecting with a pinpoint uppercut which gained a nod of approval from Chukhadzhian.
Chukhadzhian traded with Donovan in close quarters in the final three rounds, with both men landing some solid combinations.
With Donovan fading and forced to engage, the Ukrainian got the best of an enthralling final round.
A first scorecard of 115-113 in Donovan’s favour was met with a 113-113 card.
A third scorecard of 114-112 ensured the Irishman left Germany victorious and sparked wild celebrations in the ring, including from promoter Eddie Hearn.
Donovan, who was beaten by Crocker in September, called out the Belfast man for a trilogy post-fight.
Crocker first defends his title against Liam Paro on June 24 in Australia.
Odiase KO’s Webb
Emanuel Odiase won the vacant IBF European heavyweight title with a second round knockout of Nick Webb.
After a close first round, Odiase (11-0, 9 KOs) unloaded on Webb (19-4, 15 KOs) and a two-punch assault had him on the deck, with the Brit failing to beat the count.
Kadiru sees off Gashi
In a lacklustre heavyweight affair Peter Kadiru outpointed veteran Senad Gashi (34-5, 32 KOs).
Scores of 96-94, 98-92 and 97-93 saw Kadiru (23-1, 13 KOs) emerge victorious.
Remaining Undercard
Cameroonian heavyweight Nelvie Tiafack (4-0, 3 KOs) remained unbeaten, going the distance for the first time in his career in a unanimous decision win over Mateus Munhoz Da Penha (7-3-2, 3 KOs).
Elsewhere at heavyweight, Viktor Jurk (14-0, 12 KOs) knocked out Edwin Castillo (13-3, 8 KOs) in the opening few seconds of their bout.
Alexander Okafor (4-0, 2 KOs) dropped Elija Uelkueseven (8-1, 6 KOs) on route to a split decision victory to claim the BDB German cruiserweight crown.
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Cruiserweight prospect, Edmon Avagyan (1-0, 1 KO) made a successful professional debut stopping Patrik Fiala (13-8-2, 8 KOs) in the third round.
The IBF European lightweight title remained in the hands of Devrim Goekduman (13-0-1, 8 KOs), although his bout with Franklyn Dwomoh (9-0-1, 2 KOs) ended in a split decision draw after a pulsating 10 rounds.
Middleweight prospect, Oluwole Jan Ciosek (5-0, 2 KOs) remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision win over Shae Green (9-2-1, 2 KOs)
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