Kazakh bantamweight Zhanat Zhakiyanov (26-1, 18 KOs) captured the WBA 118lb title with a twelve round split decision over reigning champion Rau’shee Warren (14-1, 4 KOs) on Friday night at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.

It looked like it would be a short night when Warren knocked down Zhakiyanov not once, but twice in round one. Zhakiyanov bounced back in round three, and it was a hard fight the rest of the way as Zhakiyanov pounded out a twelve round split decision. Scores were 115-111, 116-110 for Zhakiyanov and 115-111 for Warren.

Photos: Sumio Yamada