There was an upset at the top of the bill at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, as Hector Garcia took a clear points win over Chris Colbert in their WBA featherweight title eliminator.
Colbert was due for a direct title shot against Roger Gutierrez, but the champion withdrew due to illness, so in stepped Garcia as a replacement. The Dominican came into this bout unbeaten in 14, but firmly an underdog.
Colbert allowed Garcia to tee off in the opening round, but the American grew into things in round two, landing effectively on the counter. Colbert’s combinations were eye catching as he enjoyed a solid third, but Garcia began to take a hold, unloading with powerful shots that Colbert couldn’t get out the way of in the fourth. Garcia’s pressure was proving too much, and he was simply walking through the best that his opponent had to offer, with the seventh round seeing Colbert on the floor for the first time in his career. A swift counter left hand did the damage, and Colbert didn’t even see the punch, and, although he beat the count, it was clear that he was way behind on the cards. The Brooklynite did come back into things off his jab in the ninth, and Garcia started to tire going into the later rounds. Colbert did sense the urgency, but left things simply too late, and as the fight went ti the cards, there was no doubt as to who the winner was.
A score of 119-108 and two at 118-109 reflected Garcia’s dominance, and it will be he that moves a step closer to a world title shot.
Jerwin Ancajas’ vice like grip on the IBF super flyweight title was finally loosened, as Fernando Martinez took a deserved wide points win to become new champion. It was to be an unsuccessful tenth defence for the former champion. It was a cracking contest, with well over 1500 punches thrown between the pair, but Martinez had just too much desire for the Filipino in the end. Two scores of 118-110 and a third at 117-111 ensured the Argentine took the belt home.
Gary Antuanne Russell kept his unbeaten record and knockout streak going, as he impressively halted former world champion Viktor Postol in the final round of their super lightweight ten rounder. Russell was on the attack throughout, but the stoppage came prematurely for most. Russell landed a big right hand with under a minute remaining of the fight that had Postol on the retreat. A follow up attack forced the referee to jump in.
Claudio Marrero upset Viktor Slavinskyi on the card, taking an eight round points win at super featherweight to end the Ukrainian’s unbeaten record. Scores of 78-74 and 77-75 gave Marrero the win, with a third card at 76-76 not needed.
At lightweight, Justin Cardona stopped Joshua Draughter in three, and at super welterweight, Micky Scala picked up win number five in a points success against Jose Manuel Gomez over six. Angel Barrientes took three rounds to see off Brian Cannady in their super bantamweight contest.
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