NEW YORK — David Morrell Jr. demonstrated during the fifth round Saturday night that he has the fortitude to complement his skill set.

Imam Khataev dropped Morrell with a right hand toward the end of the fifth round of their back-and-forth, 10-round light heavyweight fight on the Edgar Berlanga-Hamzah Sheeraz undercard at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens.

Morrell suffered the first knockdown of his career, but the Cuban southpaw regained his composure, boxed when he needed to box and fought the aggressive, rugged Russian when he needed to fight.

Two judges – Allen Nace (95-94) and John McKaie (96-93) – consequently scored their fan-friendly fight for Morrell, who won a split decision. Judge Tony Lundy scored it for Khataev, 95-94.

Morrell’s victory came five months after WBC light heavyweight champ David Benavidez beat him by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. As promised, Morrell implemented more of the Cuban style of boxing in this bout because he felt he had become too concerned with knocking out opponents the past couple years.

Facing Morrell represented a huge step up in class for Khataev, who had built his 10-0 record mostly against pedestrian opponents, nine of whom he stopped. The 2021 Olympic bronze medalist didn’t win, but he was more than up for the challenge and at least moved himself into position to land another meaningful fight in the 175-pound division.

Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) entered their bout ranked No. 8 among The Ring’s light heavyweight contenders, two spots above the 10th-ranked Khataev (10-1, 9 KOs).

The heavy-handed Khataev went after Morrell with a barrage of power shots in the 10th round. Morrell made another stand, though, and fired back with power punches of his own that neutralized Khataev’s offense.

Khataev backed Morrell into the ropes with about a minute to go in the ninth round, but an energized Morrell unloaded an array of power punches on his tiring opponent.

A straight left by Morrell moved Khataev backward 1:20 into the ninth round, but Khataev wasn’t hurt.

Morrell landed a right hook out of a clinch about 1:10 into the eighth round. That sneaky shot made Khataev smile.

An overhand left by Morrell knocked Khataev off balance with just under 20 seconds to go in the eighth round as well.

Morrell blocked several of Khataev’s punches in the seventh round. Khataev, apparently frustrated by Morrell’s movement, encouraged him to stand and fight late in a seventh round Morrell seemingly won.

Morrell appeared to have recovered early in the sixth round after suffering the abovementioned knockdown late in the fifth round. He was active and pressed the action at times in the sixth round.

Morrell’s right-left combination connected as Khataev was backed into the ropes with about 15 seconds to go in the sixth round.

Morrell clipped Khataev with a right hook barely a minute into the fifth round. The strategic southpaw landed several right hooks to Khataev’s body during the remainder of the fifth round.

The complexion of their fight completely changed when Khataev’s right hand dropped Morrell with just under 10 seconds on the clock in the fifth round. Morrell didn’t go all the way down to the canvas because the ropes partially held him up, but it was a clear knockdown.

Morrell composed himself, beat referee Eddie Claudio’s count and the bell sounded to end the fifth round before Khataev could capitalize on that momentum.

Khataev’s right uppercut landed in an exchange with just over 50 seconds on the clock in the fourth round. A left by Morrell knocked Khataev off balance about 1:10 into the fourth round.

Khataev backed Morrell into the ropes with just over 30 seconds to go in the third round, but Morrell made him pay by landing a right hook. Morrell let his hands go several seconds later to keep Khataev from punching as he pressed forward.

A right hand by Khataev knocked Morrell off balance with 25 seconds on the clock in the second round. That shot made Morrell fire back at Khataev, whom he hit with three right hooks and a straight left during an extended, entertaining exchange toward the end of the round.

Khataev caught Morrell with another straight right while they traded punches as well. A cut over Khataev’s right eye also became visible at that point in their fight.

Morrell took a deep breath as Khataev continued to pressure him with just over a minute remaining in the second round.

Khataev connected with a sweeping left hook about a minute into the second round.

Morrell’s combination caught Khataev off guard with just over 50 seconds to go in the first round, having made himself harder for Khataev to catch with clean shots later in the opener.

Khataev came forward for much of the opening round and tried to attack Morrell’s body.