Vartan Arutyunyan Drops and Defeats Unbeaten Basir Abakarov

Estosadok, Russia - Vartan Arutyunyan took another step forward in the heavyweight division Saturday, defeating fellow unbeaten Russian Basir Abakarov by unanimous decision over eight rounds at RED ARENA in Sochi, Russia.

Arutyunyan, now 13-0 (8 KOs), scored the only knockdown of the fight and consistently landed the more damaging punches in an entertaining matchup between two undefeated heavyweights.

Abakarov, who falls to 11-1 (9 KOs), used his considerable height and reach advantage effectively throughout the fight and remained competitive over all eight rounds, but Arutyunyan's speed, jab and more forceful work at close range ultimately separated the two.

The judges scored the bout 78-72, 79-72 and 78-73, all for Arutyunyan.

Abakarov Establishes His Range

The fight quickly developed into a battle between two very different approaches.

The 6'5" Abakarov attempted to keep the shorter Arutyunyan at the end of his punches in the opening round, firing from long range and making use of his four-inch height advantage.

Arutyunyan nevertheless found opportunities to close the distance, getting inside with solid bursts that forced Abakarov backward.

That pattern continued into the second, but Arutyunyan began making his attacks count.

After Abakarov again established his long-range attack, Arutyunyan broke through with a solid combination that visibly rocked his opponent. Arutyunyan continued to find success with his jab and began getting inside more regularly.

With 35 seconds remaining in the round, Arutyunyan produced the biggest moment of the fight, dropping Abakarov.

Abakarov beat the count and made it to the bell, but Arutyunyan had established an important early advantage.

Arutyunyan's Speed Makes the Difference

The third round demonstrated another significant asset for Arutyunyan: his speed.

Abakarov continued firing from distance, but Arutyunyan's replies generally appeared to carry greater impact. The 26-year-old was quick with his jab, including effective work to the body, and was able to rapidly close the gap when opportunities appeared.

Abakarov remained competitive, but Arutyunyan was increasingly getting the better of the meaningful exchanges.

By the fourth, Arutyunyan was making effective use of his shorter stature, coming underneath Abakarov's longer punches to reach close range.

Abakarov continued throwing and showed a solid chin when Arutyunyan connected. Both men proved capable of taking good heavyweight shots during the exchanges, but Arutyunyan generally appeared to have the advantage whenever the fight moved inside.

Abakarov Stays Competitive

Abakarov's long-range work remained an important part of the fight. He was active and continued using combinations to prevent Arutyunyan from simply walking into punching range.

The fifth round followed much the same pattern.

Abakarov used the distance well and continued throwing combinations, but Arutyunyan presented a threat every time he managed to get close. His jab remained an important weapon, allowing him to bridge the considerable physical gap before landing solid punches on the inside.

Abakarov was often the busier fighter in the sixth, but Arutyunyan's shorter bursts continued to look more consequential.

It became one of the defining characteristics of the fight: Abakarov could produce more activity from long range, while Arutyunyan appeared to do more damage when he successfully closed the distance.

Arutyunyan Finishes Strongly

Arutyunyan increased his effectiveness again in the seventh.

Abakarov continued attempting to control the geography of the fight, but Arutyunyan got more of his own work done and finished the round strongly with a solid flurry.

The eighth and final round remained competitive.

Both heavyweights had their moments as Abakarov continued working from range and Arutyunyan looked for opportunities to get underneath the taller man's attack. Neither landed the kind of punch that could dramatically change the fight, and the two went to the judges after eight rounds.

There was no doubt on the official scorecards. Arutyunyan took the unanimous decision by scores of 78-72, 79-72 and 78-73.

Another Test Passed for Arutyunyan

It was not the kind of devastating victory that immediately launches an emerging heavyweight into the international spotlight, but it was another useful test passed by Arutyunyan.

Abakarov brought something different. He was unbeaten, considerably taller, physically strong and capable of making effective use of his range. He also showed considerable durability after being badly hurt and dropped in the second round.

Arutyunyan had to solve those problems rather than simply overwhelm an overmatched opponent.

The victory follows Arutyunyan's sixth-round stoppage of Georgiy Yunovidov in February and continues a steady progression in the level of opposition he has faced.

At 26 and now 13-0, Arutyunyan remains a developing heavyweight rather than an established contender. Saturday's victory doesn't fundamentally change his position in the division, but it does move him another step forward.

For Abakarov, the defeat removes his unbeaten record but hardly represents a disastrous performance. After a lengthy period away from conventional professional boxing, he competed well against a younger and more active opponent and showed enough durability and ability to remain an interesting heavyweight on the Russian scene.