RCC Boxing Academy, Ekaterinburg - IBF #14 lightweight Elnur Samedov (12-1, 3 KOs) came out as the winner of a heated encounter versus previously undefeated Kiev-based Zoravor Petrosyan (now 12-1, with 5 KOs) in the main event of the evening, promoted by German Titov and the RCC Boxing Promotions in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

There were winners all around for this fight, as both combatants showed remarkable sportsmanship amidst the heated circumstances and also their best skills inside the squared circle. And the fans were treated to a highly skilled fight.

One can hardly find a more heated rivalry than the one between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Fueled by ethnic, religious and political tensions - which sometimes spark military violence between the nations - it can be explosive in many aspects. It was very explosive tonight as well - in the ring. Out of the ring and out of the fight both Samedov and Petrosyan paid respect to each other, shook hands and greeted one another - not a small deal and a very refreshing gesture nowadays.

It was Samedov, however, who showed more in the ring. His biggest achievement was nullification of Petrosyan's huge (four and a half inches) height advantage. The Kiev-based Armenian was unable to utilize his jab firmly enough not to let Samedov in. As soon as he got closer, the Noyabrsk-based Azerbaijani unleashed with fury, landing multiple combinations on Petrosyan. Usually elusive and with solid lateral movement, the Ukrainian Armenian was uncharacteristically passive and clumsy. Sudden left hook counters were mostly absent or Samedov was able to avoid them on his way in.

Sensing that the fight was heading in the wrong direction, Team Petrosyan, led by former WBA welterweight titlist Vyacheslav Senchenko, made certain adjustments. Zoravor stood his ground more after the mid-point, and his accuracy started to rise. Samedov was as energetic as ever but Petrosyan also had his moments, specifically with an uppercut. The Armenian looked solid in rounds seven and eight but the end of the fight was in Samedov's favour.

After ten heated rounds, judges voted it in favor of the aggressive Russia-based Azerbaijani: 96-94, 96-94 and 99-91 (which was a bit off the mark). Samedov extends his winning streak and adds Petrosyan to his list of victims, which also includes Viskhan Murzabekov, Aik Shakhnazaryan and Alexander Podolskiy almost in succession.