Las Vegas – Super middleweight contender Gilberto Ramirez systematically broke down Gevorg Khatchikian with a sustained body attack and effective combination punching to win a near shutout decision in a 10-rounder Friday at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

Ramirez (33-0, 24 knockouts) was more workmanlike than spectacular, as he slowly, but surely sapped the fight from from Khatchikian (23-2, 11 KOs). The Dutch fighter, who had a slightly awkward style, surprised Ramirez with some looping right hands in the early rounds but ultimately couldn’t stand up to hard body blows and counters when he plowed forward.

“I tried for the knockout but I couldn’t get it,” Ramirez said. “He was more active in the ring tonight than what we saw on tape.”

The fight probably was a bit closer than the 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91 scores indicated but the 24-year-old Mexican was a clear winner.

“This wasn’t my night,” Khatchikian said. “He was very busy with his punches. He was active and moved well. I just couldn’t get through it.”