Two knockdowns from Donovan ended up deciding the fight.
The Irish southpaw dropped Chukhadzhian in the sixth round with a short left hand before scoring another knockdown in the eighth. Chukhadzhian protested the second call, believing he had been pushed, but the referee ruled it a knockdown.
Donovan started sharply and controlled long stretches of the early rounds with his jab, movement, and hand speed. Chukhadzhian slowly forced his way back into the fight during the second half, pressing forward and landing cleaner right hands as Donovan spent more time exchanging instead of using the ring.
The Ukrainian veteran finished strongly over the final rounds and appeared to close the gap on the scorecards, but the two knockdowns gave Donovan enough room to escape with the victory.
“Karen Chukhadzhian is one of the best fighters in the world, and we knew this,” Donovan said afterward.
“Now it’s back for the trilogy, come on, Lewis Crocker. We’re back.”
The fight marked Donovan’s return after consecutive defeats against Lewis Crocker earlier this year. Their first fight ended in a disqualification after Donovan landed a late punch, while Crocker edged the rematch by split decision.
Chukhadzhian, who had previously gone the distance twice with Jaron Ennis, again proved difficult to break down and continued pressing until the final bell.
The victory moves Donovan into position for another major welterweight fight later this year, potentially against the winner of Crocker’s upcoming bout with Liam Paro.
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