Ivan Kozlovsky fended off Zoravor Petrosian’s rally just enough to win a 10-round split decision Saturday night in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

The skillful Russian southpaw defeated Ukraine’s Petrosian’s by the same score, 96-94, on two scorecards to remain unbeaten on the Jorge Linares-Zaur Abdullaev undercard that ESPN+ streamed from RCC Boxing Academy. Petrosian oddly won 99-91 on the other scorecard.

The 26-year-old Kozlovsky (5-0, 2 KOs) got off to a strong start by boxing and turning the aggressive Petrosian (12-2, 5 KOs) in the first three rounds. He appeared to build an early lead while exclusively boxing off his back foot, but Petrosian opened a cut over Kozlovsky’s right eye in the fourth round and mounted a comeback.

The final three rounds were very competitive in what evolved into an entertaining yet strategic action fight.

In the previous fight, Georgy Kushitashvili continued the strong start to his pro career.

The Russian light heavyweight prospect Georgy Kushitashvili knocked out Nigeria’s Olarewaju Segun in the second round of their scheduled eight-rounder.

The 26-year-old Kushitashvili (2-0, 2 KOs) knocked Segun (9-2, 8 KOs) flat on his back with a right hand, which immediately ended their fight. Kushitashvili previously knocked Segun down during the first round and hurt him badly just as the bell sounded to end the first round.

Segun, 37, lost inside the distance for the second time as a pro.

In the first fight ESPN+ streamed Saturday, Russian heavyweight prospect Georgy Yunovidov stopped Argentina’s Leandro Robutti after five largely lopsided rounds.

Roobutti’s right hand made Yunovidov lose his balance in the second round and touch the canvas with his right glove, which counted as a knockdown. Otherwise, however, Yunovidov dominated the action by landing an array of power punches on an older, slower, out-of-shape opponent until Robutti’s trainer stopped their scheduled eight-rounder following the fifth round.

Yunovidov, 29, improved to 4-0 and recorded his third knockout. Robutti, a 35-year-old southpaw, slipped to 8-6 (5 KOs) and suffered his third knockout defeat.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for krikya360.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.