Gary Russell Jr. defeated mandatory challenger Tugstsogt Nyambayar by unanimous decision to make the 5th defense of the WBC Featheweight title at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
It was a tactical fight early, which played right into Russell’s hands as he was able to establish his speed advantage. Nyambayar was able to get into the fight in the middle rounds as his pressure was controlling the action. There were several nice exchanges that saw Russell be able get the better of some of those as his experience in championship fights was evident. Down the stretch each took turns winning rounds, but it was Russell’s ring generalship that won out in the end by scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112.
Russell of Capitol Heights, Maryland is 31-1. Nyambayar is 11-1,
GARY RUSSELL JR.
“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 pro 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.
“We never take a day off. I’ll probably be back in the gym next week. We’ll keep our wheels turning and stay sharp.
“If we have to move up in weight for these top fighters to feel like they have an advantage and take the fight, then we’ll do it.”
“It was definitely the kind of fight that I expected. I knew that I was fighting a tough competitor. We knew he’d be strong, but I felt like my hand speed, my ring generalship and my boxing intellect would ultimately overcome in this fight and that’s what happened.
“I kept my jab in his face and in the back half of the fight, I told myself to hold my hands up, come forward and press the action. I wanted to dictate the action and that’s exactly what we did.
“Nyambayar was definitely one of the better fighters that I competed against. I feel like he would give any of the other 126-pound fighters trouble. If he stays focused, he’ll become a world champion.”
TUGSTSOGT NYAMBAYAR
“It 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 the rematch if I can get it.
“I want to thank the Mongolian fans for coming out tonight and I’m grateful to everyone in Mongolia.”
In a fight void of a lot action, Guillermo Rigondeaux won the WBA Bantamweight title with a 12-round splits decision over Liborio Solis
In round seven, Rigondeaux landed a hard left that put Solis on the seat of his pants. The fight saw mostly Solis following Rigondeuax without either guy doing much of anything.
Rigondeaux, 117.4 lbs of Cuba won by scores of 116-112 and 115-111. Solis won a card 115-111.
Rigondeaux is 20-1. Solis, 117.4 lbs of Venezuela is 30-6-1.
GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX
“Our team is with me more than their own families. This isn’t just my victory, but it’s a victory for me whole team to get me this win at this age.
“Liborio is an excellent fighter, but I saw the opportunity to strike and scored the knockdown.
“Ronnie Shields is the real champion. The preparation that he gave me for this fight was incredible. Ronnie is one of the best.”
“Solis is an excellent boxer and he gave me a run for my money. It was a competitive fight, congratulations to him for keeping up in the ring, but everyone knows the better fighter got the win.
“When you get to my level, you just have to keep doing your work, and good things will come to you.
“Like I’ve showed everyone before, I can fight right in the middle of the ring. I tried that in the first round, but after that round, Ronnie Shields told me to show him some boxing and cut the ring off.
“I’m available for anyone who wants to get in the ring. Who do the fans want to see me fight? I’m ready for any fighter. Now that I’m at my weight, let’s go hunting.”
LIBORIO SOLIS
“I thought I won the fight. Going backwards is no way to win a vacant title. I put the majority of the pressure on him. I’m not going to argue with the judges, but I thought I did enough to win.
“The punch surprised me on the knockdown, but I wasn’t hurt. I was ready to fight immediately right after.
“I hurt him in the first round and that’s what caused him to run. I’d like a rematch because I thought I got the better of him tonight.”
In a sensational junior lightweight elimination bout, Jaime Arboleda held on to take a 12-round split decision over Jayson Vekez in a war.
The guys took turns wailing on each other. Arboleda was bleeding from the nose in round seven. Velez came on late and dropped Arboleda in the final frame. Arboleda was hurt several times in the final frame, but he was able to reach the final bell and win by scores of 114-113 twice and 115-112 for Velez.
Arboleda, 129.5 lbs of Panama is 16-1. Velez, 130 lbs of Caguas, PR is 29-6-1.
JAIME ARBOLEDA
“Jayson Velez is a great fighter and has a great style. He was trying to use that to break me down tonight. Velez has faced a lot of good fighters and I believe I belong with those fighters. I had him hurt badly a few times, but I just got a little bit ahead of myself and didn’t finish.
“My next fight is up to my team. I’m in line for the title, but we’ll see how things play out. I want to stay busy for sure this year.
“It was a clean shot on the knockdown but it happened because I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to stylistically and with my footwork. I was a bit tired, but I wasn’t too hurt. I went right back to fighting.”
JAYSON VELEZ
“It was a close fight, but I think I won the fight. It could have gone either way. I think I knocked him down twice but they didn’t count one of them. It’s okay. I showed that I’m a warrior like always. I have six losses now but I’ve never been knocked out. I’m still here, and I believe I’ll be world champion someday.”
