The 23-year-old made it an easy night at the office for the three judges sitting ringside as he outworked his opponent to win a unanimous decision victory in a spirited fight Sunday at Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on the Zuffa Boxing 9 card.

Judge John Mckaie had it 98-92, Tony Paolillo scored it 97-93, and Robin Taylor had it 96-94, giving Hackett (13-1, 9 KOs) the biggest victory of his career.

Hackett, a 23-year-old prospect, got the better of his 40-year-old opponent for most of the fight, using superior speed, angles and energy to score consistently in a fight that was more competitive than the scoring might indicate.

Hackett (13-1, 9 KOs) set the early tone, firing off a quick, sharp jab that kept Derevyanchenko off balance.

And things got considerably worse for the former multiple-time title challenger as blood spilled from a cut over his right eye. However, that seemed to energize Derevyanchenko as he came out swinging for the remainder of the round and never stopped firing.

With the rounds quickly ticking by, Derevyanchenko got his engine going in the fifth. However, his desire to stand and bang was met with a vicious right uppercut in the waning seconds. As he stumbled back into the ropes, Hackett went for the kill but Derevyanchenko refused to wilt.

In the sixth, Hackett took control of the center of the ring. He planted his feet and fired whenever his smaller foe moved closer than he wanted. Hackett then went down to the body, quieting the pro Derevyanchenko crowd.

Derevyanchenko (16-7, 11 KOs) picked things up in the eighth, landing a strong right hand in the frame that appeared to shake up Hackett but couldn't do enough to turn the tide.

Derevyanchenko was hoping that a win on Sunday night would jump-start his career. The fringe contender has now lost seven of his last 11 fights, although most of his setbacks have come against elite opposition before Sunday.

Meanwhile, Hackett received the boost to his career he was looking for, as he is hoping to get into the middleweight title picture. The Washington D.C. native has now won four consecutive victories since suffering a split decision defeat to Jose Roman in 2024.

Undercard Results:

Vladyslav Sirenko (23-1, 20 KOs) def. Otto Wallin (28-4, 16 KOs) KO 10 - Heavyweights

Emiliano Moreno (13-1, 7 KOs) def. Arnold Gonzalez (18-2, 9 KOs) UD 8 - Welterweights

Kashaun Davis (12-0, 11 KOs) def. Mihai Nistor (8-1, 8 KOs) UD 8 - Heavyweights

Troy Nash (8-0-1, 1 KO) def. Ethan Perez (8-1-1-, 3 KOs) MD 8 - Featherweights

Andres Sosa (19-4, 9 KOs) def. Dominique Francis (16-1, 10 KOs) UD 8 - Junior lightweights