It was largely a battle of jabs between the pair for sustained periods in a contest where you didn't envy the ringside judges.

Both men had one judge scoring it 117-111 in their favor, though a 115-113 Agrba score ensured a split decision victory as longtime contender Abdullaev (21-3, 13 KOs) fell short again during his third interim world title fight.

Agrba (18-1, 9 KOs) has been the sanctioning body's top-rated contender since February, the same month Andy Hiraoka produced a spirited display during a 12-round points loss to Gary Antuanne Russell (19-1, 17 KOs).

Having been outpointed by Devin Haney and Raymond Muratalla at lightweight, this Russian headliner marked 32-year-old Abdullaev's second appearance in a new weight division.

Agrba meanwhile is a career junior welterweight who paced himself well here without looking spectacular as bigger fights await, not least against the aforementioned Russell (19-1, 17 KOs).

Both took turns scoring with body shots and flurries in close quarters.

Abdullaev finished the third stronger and was busier behind a shell guard but the speed differential favored the younger man, even on the occasions where he'd be bundled back against the ropes by flashy combinations.

Abdullaev was increasingly marked up through seven rounds as the damage was taking its toll. A left hand through the guard and some shrewd work downstairs did the trick for Agrba on an evening where subtleties and defensive discipline carried more weight, coupled with better effectiveness down the stretch.