The judges scored it 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94 for Hackett, whose hand speed and jab carried him through long stretches of the contest. The scorecards, however, did not fully reflect how competitive the fight became, particularly after Derevyanchenko hurt Hackett late.

Hackett looked sharp during the opening rounds, boxing behind a busy jab while using quick footwork to keep the veteran from getting set. Derevyanchenko picked his spots, landing overhand rights whenever Hackett lingered within punching distance.

The younger fighter gradually increased his output as the bout progressed. He mixed uppercuts into his combinations, backed Derevyanchenko toward the ropes, and opened cuts around both of the Ukrainian’s eyes. Blood streamed down the veteran’s face over the second half of the fight, yet he refused to slow down.

Derevyanchenko’s toughness kept him in the contest. Rather than folding under Hackett’s pressure, he continued forcing exchanges and found success whenever he closed the distance. Derevyanchenko’s experience became more apparent in the later rounds as Hackett’s pace slowed.

The biggest moment came in the 10th round.

Derevyanchenko landed a clean shot that staggered Hackett and briefly put the unbeaten prospect in trouble. Instead of coasting to the finish, Hackett spent the closing moments trying to survive as the veteran searched for another opening before the final bell.

Although Hackett received the unanimous decision, the performance was far from convincing. A 40-year-old Derevyanchenko, competing after a lengthy layoff, remained dangerous until the final seconds and made a strong case that the fight was much closer than the official scores indicated.

Hackett leaves New York with the victory, but not necessarily with many new believers. Against an aging veteran no longer considered among the middleweight division’s elite, he struggled to separate himself and nearly surrendered the fight in the final round. The win keeps his career moving forward, yet it also suggested he still has plenty to prove before matching up with the top names at 160 pounds.