Russell Exhibited Brilliance to Defend WBC Title but eyes the lightweight division
Gary Russell Jr. has proven again beyond any doubt to be one of the best if not the best in the featherweight division. At the PPL Center Allentown, Pennsylvania the WBC featherweight champion exhibited amazing trademark of his speed, power and overall great skillset to the thrills of crowd rendering Nyambayar Tugstsogt crisp accurate combination ineffective in the process.
Russell Jnr dominated most of the rounds from a year long inactivity which has been his routine fight schedules after dropping Johnny Gonzalez in a round four TKO March 2015 to win the WBC featherweight belt. His long layoffs has been the talk of many and questions how he gets back good to retain the title? “We put out the work in every day in the gym, I’m a perfectionist, I never take a day off”. He reacted. “I will probably be back in the gym next week”. Russell Jnr added.
Russell 31, (31-1,18KOs), southpaw and Capitol Maryland based American started the rounds with rapid movement and dishing quick successive double right jabs with a swift straight left showing great skill and apt defence. This followed through to round seven where there were good exchange of punches and got more engaging in the championship rounds. Russell had big round in eight landing good combination of punches but it was Nyambayar who was better of the two in round eleven and twelve. Russell won on all judges scorecard scoring 118-110, 116-112 and 117-111 to remain the longest reigning WBC champion. As to what made the difference for Russell Jnr. “We are focused and I’m the longest reigning WBC world champion for a reason”. He said. “Ring generalship, hand speed, 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”. Russell added.
Tugstsogt 27, (11-1, 9KOs) a 2012 Mongolian olympian was short of himself kept moving forward in the fight to land his big shots but successful as Russell showcases his gifted defence.
It wasn’t my night. He was the better man tonight,” Tugstsogt said through an interpreter. “I lost the rhythm of the rounds [momentum of the rounds].
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.” He added.
Russell before the fight and repeated in a post fight interview that if he is not getting the fights he wants, he will be looking at moving two weight classes up to fight. “Realistically we want to fight Leo Santa Cruz next if not, I plan on moving [jumping] two weight classes, forget 130lbs. I’m going to 135lbs to put myself in there to fight one of these guys that I want.”