King’s Promotions – Marshall Kauffman and TGB Promotions – Tom Brown and Premier Boxing Champions over Showtime Saturday February 8th at the PPL Center, Allentown, PA, WBC World Featherweight Champion “Mr.” Gary Allen Russell, Jr. out of Capital Heights, MD, defended his title for the fifth time defeating No. 1 ranked Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar, out of Mongolia and Carson, CA, over 12 rounds.
In the Main Event WBC World Featherweight champion southpaw “Mr.” Gary Allen Russell, Jr., 31-1 (18), of Capital heights, MD, easily defeated No. 1 ranked Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar, 11-1 (9), of Mongolia and Carson CA, over 12 rounds.
In the first four rounds Russell had too much hand and foot speed for Nyambayar with a flurry of punches in the fourth round getting the fan’s excited yelling “USA, USA” throughout. In the fifth round the fans chanted “Gary, Gary” as Russell had Nyambayar following him around countering him.
In the sixth round Nyambayer tried rushing Russell only to be countered for the most part. In the seventh round Russell went toe to toe with Nyambayar in the first minute of the round. Then boxed and countered moving around the ring. In the eighth round at the halfway pont Russell flurried with half a dozen unanswered punches to the head. Russell continued having Nyambayar missing time and again.
In the ninth round Russell became the aggressor landing uppercuts and three punch combinations. In the final minute Nyambayar started coming forward landing a punch at a time in a close round. In the tenth round Nyambayar backed Russell into a corner and landed four unanswered punches to the head. It was another close round.
In the eleventh round both fighters went punch for punch for the first half of the round. Referee Gary Rosato had little to do in keeping the fighters from clinching. Both were mixing it up at the bell in a close round. In the twelfth and final round Nyambayar came out throwing punches knowing he needed a knockout. Russell had him missing and hitting the ropes. Russell raised his hands in the final seconds as Nyambayar did the same afterwards.
Scores were 116-112, 117-111 and 118-110 same as this writer.
“We put the work in every day in the gym. I‘m a perfectionist. We knew we had a very tough opponent and I knew he was going to bring his physical best. He had everything to gain and nothing to lose. We just focused and showed I’m one of the longest reigning champions for a reason. The difference was ring generalship, hand speed and boxing IQ. He only had 11 fights, of course he was an Olympic Silver Medalist, but he only had those 11 pro fights. I’ve had over 30 and I think my experience was enough to overcome and win this fight,” said Russell. Nyamayar said “it just wasn’t my night. He was the better man tonight. I didn’t do my work the way I was supposed to. He is a great champion who fought a great fight. I made a mistake by waiting for him during the fight. I’d love a rematch if I can get it.”
In the co-feature former WBA & WBO Super Bantamweight champion No. 2 ranked Cuban southpaw Guillermo Rigondeaux, 20-1 (13), #117.4, of Miami, FL, scored a knockdown winning a split decision over No. 1 ranked and former Super Fly champion Liborio Solis, 30-6-1 (14), #117.8, out of Panama City, PAN, for the vacant WBA World Bantamweight title, over 12 rounds.
In the first round Solis immediately took it to the body of Rigondeaux. Halfway thru the round Rigondeaux rock Solis with a left on the chin. Solis came back to hurt Rigondeaux with a right on the chin in the final twenty seconds having him holding on. In the second thru the fifth rounds Rigondeaux came out boxing as Solis followed him around the ring making the fans not pleased. In the sixth round Rigondeaux would taunt Solis with arms to his side with and occasional jabs to the chin.
In the seventh round a left from Rigondeaux on the chin knocked Solis into the ropes ruled as a knockdown by referee Benjy Esteves, Jr. rightfully so. In the eighth round Rigondeaux went back to out-boxing Solis. In the ninth round Rigondeaux boxed and on several occasion’s landed a lead left on the chin of Solis.
In the tenth round at the halfway point Rigondeaux hurt Solis with a left on the chin but didn’t follow up. He ended the round with a left on the chin of Solis. In the eleventh round out boxing Solis Rigondeaux taunted him in the final seconds landing a left to the chin at the end of the round.
In the twelfth and final round Rigondeaux started showboating upsetting the fans at times standing in front of Solis daring him to throw a punch. He simply outsmarted Solis from the second round on. Referee doing an excellent job was Benjy Esteves, Jr.
Scores were Morgan 115-112, McNair 116-111 for Rigondeaux and Ackerman 115-112 for Solis with this writer having it 119-108 Rigondeaux.
Super Featherweight Jaime Arboleda, of PAN and Miami, FL, 16-1 (13), #129.5, won a split decision in a war with Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez, 29-6-1 (21), #130, out of Juncos, PR, over 12 rounds in an elimination bout.
In the first two rounds Arboleda seemed to have an edge until late in the second when Velez rocked him with a right on the chin with seconds to go. In the fourth and fifth Arboleda stayed in front. In the sixth round it was a war as Arboleda landed more while Velez had his moments with power rights on the chin.
In the seventh thru the ninth rounds it was Arboleda’s landing many rights on the chin of Velez who kept coming forward. In the tenth round Velez had Arboleda holding on from a right on the chin in the final half minute of the round.
In the eleventh round it was back and forth with Velez gaining an edge. In the twelfth and final round Velez had Arboleda down and holding on for dear life the rest of the way!
Scores were 114-113 from Bruni and Feldman for Arboleda while Marlinski had it 115-112 for Velez. This writer had it 114-113 Arboleda. The fans were not pleased with the decision.
Super Featherweight Martino “Titan” Jules, 9-0 (2), #129.9, of Allentown, PA, thrilled the fans stopping Pablo Cupal, 10-31 (5), #131.4, of Merida, MEX, at 2:39 of the first of a 4.
In the first round the taller fan favorite Jules knocked down Cupal for an 8-count by referee Ricky Gonzalez. Upon rising Jules was all over him with a flurry of punches dropping him a second time as the referee wisely called a halt.
Super Lightweight 2016 Olympian southpaw Gary Antuanne Russell, 13-0 (13), #137, out of Capital Heights, MD, scored a sensational 13th straight knockout over Jose Marrufo, 12-10-2 (1), #137.5, out of Mexico and Phoenix, AZ, at 2:12 in the first round of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first round a right hook from Russell on the chin of Marrufo and down he went. Trying to get up his legs failed him as referee Gonzalez waved it off.
“I give myself 1 1/2 to 2 years before fighting for a title. I’m not in it to be a journeyman but a world champion. I don’t have bruises and am still handsome. Whether the three of us brothers will be champion at the same time would be nice. I’ve learned from each of my brothers mistakes and feel I will be the best”, said Gary Antuanne Russell.
Bantamweight southpaw Gary Antonio Russell, 17-0 (12), #116.3, out of D.C., won by DQ @1:31 in the 6th over southpaw Jesus Martinez, 27-11 (13), #117.3, of COL/Hollywood, FL, in a scheduled 8.
In the first two rounds with a pair of southpaws Russell was the aggressor dominating the first round. In the third and fourth rounds Russell had a game Martinez against the ropes for the most part.
In the sixth round Martinez got in his best punch up until this point with a counter right to the chin of Russell. Referee Gonzalez warned Martinez to keep his punches up giving Russell a 30 second break. Russell came fighting back with Martinez continuing to use his right uppercut to the body until one went low causing Russell to hit the canvas again. Russell got half a minute break. Seconds later Russell had Martinez on the ropes but got tied up and Martinez wouldn’t let go and got disqualified.
Super Welterweight southpaw Jamontay Clark, 15-1-1 (7), #153.6, out of Cinn., OH, defeated tough southpaw Anthony Lenk, 16-7 (7), of Niagara Falls, NY, over 8 rounds.
In the first two rounds a pair of southpaws Clark the taller of the two controlled the fight with precision punches. In the third round it was all Clark until his mouthpiece was knocked out giving a break in the action. Clark came right back nailing the gutsy Lenk.
In the fourth round Lenk rocked Clark having him hurt and holding. The fans got excited with that turn around. Clark’s head cleared near the end of the round and he took control again. In the fifth and sixth rounds Clark countered the oncoming Lenk well. In the eighth and final round Lenk landed a low punch causing referee Esteves to give Clark a short break. Clark came back and knocked out the mouthpiece of Lenk. Lenk fough back getting the fans excited again though it was short lived.
Scores were 79-73 twice and 78-74 with this writer 79-73.
Bantamweight Jonathan Rodriguez (was Torres), 8-0 (3), #119, out of PR and Bethlehem, PA, impressed defeating a game Edson Eduardo Neri, 3-5 (2), #116, out of Mexico City, MEX over 6 rounds.
In the first two rounds it was all Rodriguez to the delight of his many fans throwing with bad intentions mostly to the body of Neri with one warning to keep them up by referee Dali. In the third round again Rodriguez was warned about a low blow giving Neri a thirty second break. Neri came back fighting.
In the fourth round Rodriguez moved around the ring slipping punches and countering to the body of Neri. In the fifth round Neri kept coming though taking plenty of punishment to the body. In the sixth and final round Rodriguez had his fans on their feet cheering as he continued countering the tough Neri.
Scores were 60-54 twice and 58-56 with this writer 60-54. Rodriguez has his last name changed the Monday before the fight from Torres.
Welterweight Marlon “Zuri” Bolen, 4-0 (3), #149.2, out of Bowie, MD, stopped Larry Ventus, 9-15-1 (4), #1489, of Detroit, MI, at 2:58 of the second in a scheduled 6 rounds.
In the first round it was all Bolen. In the second round Bolen finished off Ventus forcing referee Rosato to halt the fight.
Super Bantamweight Rajon Chance, 1-0 (1), #123.8 of E. Orange, NJ, stopped southpaw Joseph Quintana, 0-3 (0), #124.2, of Alamosa, CO, at 1:45 of the first of a scheduled 4.
In the first round hands to his side Chance picked Quintana apart dropping him. Upon rising Chance jumped all over him until referee Rosato wisely called a halt.
Classy Jimmy Lennon was the ring announcer. Co-promoter Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions it was announced he was inducted into the PAB HOF this week and will be officially inducted on May 3rd!