By Ken Hissner: At the Borgata Hotel Casino, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Saturday over Showtime in association with Premier Boxing Champions Tom Brown (TGB Promotions) and Showtime presented in the Main Event returning after almost 23 months WBC World Featherweight champion “Mr.” Gary Russell, Jr., defended his title for the sixth time losing a majority decision to unbeaten No. 2 ranked Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo.
In the Co-Main Event in a rematch Super Lightweight, IBF No. 2 ranked Subriel Matias in an all-action fight stopped WBA Continental Americas champ Petros Ananyan after nine rounds.
In the Main Event WBC World Featherweight champ southpaw “Mr.” Gary Russell, Jr., 31-2 (18), #125 ½, of Capitol Heights, MD, lost a majority decision to Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo, 24-0 (16), #125 ½, of Rizal, Metro Manila, PH, over 12 rounds.
In the first round, the taller Magsayo used an effective lead right to the chin of southpaw Russell. In the second and third rounds, Magsayo used right uppercuts while inside against Russell, who mainly used his jab. In the fourth round, in the early seconds, Magsayo hurt Russell with a body shot. The shorter Russell seemed to favor his right shoulder that may have been injured.
In the fifth and sixth rounds, Magsayo continued to dominate the fight, with Russell rarely using his right hand. In the seventh round, Russell landed numerous lead lefts to the chin of Magsayo. In the eighth round, it was close, with Russell landing a lead left to the body but got countered by a Magsayo right on the chin.
True warrior 💪@mrgaryrusselljr | #RussellMagsayo pic.twitter.com/k5HJMSFrTJ
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) January 23, 2022
In the ninth round, Russell stayed one step ahead of the oncoming Magsayo, countering well. After each round, Russell continues to end up in his corner. In the tenth round, Magsayo started cutting the ring off more, but Russell’s countering left landed well. Magsayo worked the body for the most part.
In the eleventh round, once again, it was another close round with Russell countering with his left the oncoming Magsayo. In the twelfth and final round, Russell landed double lead left’s several times.
Midway through the round, Magsayo pinned Russell into a corner, landing several punches to the body. In the rest of the round, it was Russell countering well. The referee was Benjy Esteves, Jr.
Scores were 114-114 Carter, 115-113 Consentino, and Grant, as did this writer.
In the co-main Event rematch No. 2 IBF ranked Super Light Subriel Matias, 18-1 (18), #140 ½, of Fajardo, PR, stopped No. 13 ranked WBA Petros Ananyan, 16-3-2 (7), #141, of Abovyan, Armenia, and L.A., CA, after nine rounds of a scheduled 12 rounds in an all-action battle.
In the first round, both landed well, with Matias finishing the stronger of the two. In the second and third rounds, Ananyan landed rights on the chin of Matias, outworking him who concentrated on the body. In the fourth round Matias came back well in a wild landing round, having the edge over Ananyan with a strong finish.
Dream come true for @markmagsayo_MMM 🙌 💯#RussellMagsayo pic.twitter.com/LgGrEIdugw
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) January 23, 2022
In the fifth round, Ananyan, in the final minute, had Matias up against the ropes with combinations though receiving a warning for low blows from referee Mary Glover. In the sixth round, it was Ananyan having Matias against the ropes in all action round from both fighters right up to the bell. In the seventh round, after a third warning for low blows, Matias lost a point. The action continued with Ananyan having Matias against the ropes in the final minute.
In the eighth round, Ananyan controlled with left hooks to the chin of Matias. In the final thirty seconds Matias landed a chopping right on the chin of Ananyan.
In the ninth round, Matias controlled, and in the last twenty seconds, Matias dropped Ananyan with a left hook on the chin for an 8-count.
Referee Glover gave him extra time to re-coup as the bell sounded. Ananyan had swelling under both eyes in the corner as the ring physician came in, informing referee Glover to call a halt.
After nine rounds, this writer had Ananyan in front 85-84.
Feather 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar, 12-2-1 (9), #128, of Mongolia and L.A., CA, ended in a split decision draw with late sub Sakaria Lukas, 25-1-1 (17), #127 ½, of Windhoek, Namibia, over ten rounds.
In the first round, a monster left hook from Nyambayar on the chin rocked the head of Lukas halfway through the round. In the second round, Nyambayar controlled the first half of the round.
In the final thirty seconds, Lukas using an effective jab landed a left hook followed by a three-punch combination all to the chin of Nyambayar. In the third round, after a minute, Nyambayar landed a right uppercut to the chin while Lukas countered with a left hook to the chin.
In the fourth round, at the midpoint Nyambayar, a left hook on the chin of Lukas drove him back several steps. He continued on the attack. In the fifth round, Nyambayar came out throwing punches in bunches. Halfway through the round, Nyambayar rocked Lukas with a right uppercut on the chin. With a minute left in the round, Nyambayar hurt Lukas with a right on the chin, almost dropping Lukas.
In the sixth and seventh rounds, Lukas worked his way back into the fight, landing lead rights on the chin of Nyambayar. In the eighth round, Nyambayar landed a left that Lukas countered with a jab that looked like a knockdown, but referee Eddie Claudio ruled a slip. Lukas seemed to have an edge at the end of the round landing rights on the chin.
In the ninth round, it went back and forth with a strong finish by Nyambayar. In the tenth and final round, after half a minute, Nyambayar landed a combination to the chin of Lukas. Lukas came back with rights of his own to the chin of Nyambar.
Scores were 96-94 Lukas, 96-94 Nyambayar, and 95-95, as did this writer.
Middle LeShawn “Lightning” Rodriguez, 13-0 (10), #156.5, of Port Jefferson, NY, stopped Sixto Suazo, 9-3-1 (7), #156.5, of Atlanta, GA, in the first round of a scheduled six rounds.
Feather southpaw Rasheen Brown, 11-1 (7), #124, of Philadelphia, PA, lost to Katsuma “El Cuete Japonecito” Akitsugi, 8-0 (1), #123.5, of Wakayama, JAP, and Hollywood, CA, over six rounds.
Super Welter Evan “Yung Holy” Holyfield, 9-0 (6), #151.5, of Atlanta, GA, defeated Chris Rollins, 5-4-1 (4), #151.5, of Charlottesville, VA, over six rounds.
Scores were 60-54 twice and 59-55.
Ring Announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. At ringside were Philadelphia unbeaten boxers WBO & WBC Super Bantam champ Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton and top IBF contender Jaron “Boots” Ennis.