Gary Russell Jr. boxes masterfully against Tugstsogt Nyambayar for win

Tugstsogt Nyambayar was a tough test for WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr., but Russell out-boxed Nyambayar to keep his title.

WBC featherweight boxing champion Gary Russell Jr. is often criticized for inactivity, but he looked nearly flawless against Tugstsogt Nyambayar to successfully defend his title on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Nyambayar only had 11 professional bouts before his meeting with Russell, but his accolades as an amateur along with his unbeaten record made him a serious threat to Russell’s title. Nyambayar’s lack of professional experience had a lot to do with his loss against Russell.

From the opening bell, Russell’s hand speed confused Nyambayar. Nyambayar was very passive for the first five rounds, but that was all Russell’s doing. Russell’s kept his fists moving and didn’t allow the slower Nyambayar a chance to think.

Russell is not the most fleet-footed boxer, but he was easily able to allude Nyambayar. Nyambayar stalked Russell for most of the fight but posed too long in most instances. He was too wooden, too frozen, and Russell made him pay with quick combinations that Nyambayar usually didn’t see coming.

Nyambayar woke up in round 6 and started to find Russell with his right hand. Russell took his shots well but started to fatigue a bit during the second half of the fight, but so did Nyambayar.

Nyambayar’s best rounds were 9 and 10, but he couldn’t sustain his momentum. Russell beat Nyambayar to the punch in round 11 to win the round. He got off first and was the better-conditioned athlete of the two.

Nyambayar fought well in the 12th round, but it was too little too late. Russell was content with evading Nyambayar. He knew he had the fight in the bag, and Nyambayar needed a knockout to win. He didn’t get.

The judges returned scores of 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112, all for Russell. Nyambayar tried his best, but it wasn’t enough.

Nyambayar is skilled, powerful, and durable. However, Russell was too fast and too experienced. Nyambayar may be a world champion one day, but he needs more professional experience if he’s going to get there. Russell had 31 bouts under his belt coming into his defense against Nyambayar, and now he has his 31st victory.

After the bout, Russell told Showtime’s Jim Gray, “I knew we had a very tough opponent. I knew he was going to bring his physical best. He had everything to gain and nothing to lose.”

As to who he would like to fight next, Russell said, “I want Lomachenko again. That’s not for the fans. That’s something because I have too much integrity as a man, that’s something that I want for myself.”

Russell would like to avenge his lone loss against Vasiliy Lomachenko, but he would have to move up in weight, which is something he said he’s willing to do. He also named Leo Santa Cruz and Gervonta Davis as desirable opponents. We’ll see if he finally gets his big fight.