| |
|
|
Defense Wins Championships!!!…Not In The Ring, Not When Gary
Russell Jr. Doesn’t Punch
By Iberedem Ekure
On a cold night in January, Atlantic City was buzzing with
activity and a sold-out event hall at the Borgata hosted
Gary Russell Jr’s title defense against Mark Magsayo from
the Philippines. I expected some fireworks given how much
ink had been spilled on Gary Russell Jr’s inactivity as a
fighter and champion and Subriel Matias’ thirst for avenging
the only defeat on his resume in the co-main event.
The main event started out with Magsayo coming out the
aggressor, very reminiscent of 70s and 80s one-way sluggers
who moved in only one direction, forward. He was unable to
land anything however and Gary Russell established center
ring position. A very cagey round.
In the second, Magsayo came out immediately landing a left
hook to the body. Gary Russell showed great defensive
displays but seemed reluctant to let his hands go. Magsayo
missed a lot of his punched but also was doing all the
offense and occasionally finding success. Gary Russell
landed a power shot counter towards the end of the round.
The third was almost a carbon copy; I was left wondering
what Gary Russell's strategy was. Defense is great but you
don't score if you don't throw.
In the fourth round, Magsayo again started with the early
pressure and looked to have Gary Russell in trouble going in
for the kill, but Gary withstood the pressure and started to
assert himself as the round went on. Gary Russell seemed to
have hurt his right hand.
The fourth seemed to wake the champion and he fought a much
better fifth round, still backing away from pressure and
moving well but throwing a lot more with the left hand.
Magsayo was the more aggressive fighter but not landing
much.
In the sixth and seventh rounds, Magsayo asserted control
again, sustaining the pressure and picking up points by
being active and willing to engage. Despite the footwork and
defensive moves, Gary Russell was not taking advantage of
the counterpunch opportunities. He was simply not throwing
enough.
In the eighth, Gary Russell Jr showed some impressive
counterpunching as Magsayo continued to press. Best round
for Gary Russell Jr which propelled him with momentum into
the 9th where he picked up the offense to start the round
looking like he wanted to close the fight in spectacular
fashion. That was short-lived as he soon reverted to the
complacency of previous rounds and allowed Magsayo to land a
flurry to close the round
Championship rounds and Magsayo was dominant in the first
half of the round, but Gary Russell began to land some
counters in the latter half. Magsayo closed the round well
getting Gary Russell against the ropes and landing.
In the eleventh, Gary Russell retreated to his defensive
shell and Magsayo did what he does best, moving forward and
throwing combinations. He landed a low percentage but when
you are the only one throwing, it's all that matters.
Gary Russell came out for the twelfth looking like he saved
his offense for the final round. Magsayo soon gained the
momentum and stalked Gary Russell across the ring. Both men
land as the crowd chants in support of either fighter
sequentially.
It went go to the scorecards. A win for Magsayo in my book
and the judges had it 115-113, 115-113, 114-114 for a
Magsayo majority decision. Gary Russell said in the
post-fight interview that he knew his arm/shoulder were
impaired 2 weeks ago but he refused to put the fight off and
would request a rematch.
In the Co-Main event, Subriel Matias and Petros Ananyan went
head-to-head as Matias sought to avenge his close 2020
defeat to the Russian. This one was a barn burner
In the first round, both fighters maintained center ring
position and exchanged probing jabs. Ananyan asserted
himself physically towards the end of the round muscling
Matias towards the ropes at the cost of eating a few
combinations to the head. Ananyan looked to have 10lbs over
Matias in the ring and was using his size well.
In the second round, Matias landed more, showing himself the
more skilled fighter as Ananyan continued his march forward.
Matias took advantage of poor defense from Ananyan and
landed a few shots to the mid-section.
The third round was much livelier with both fighters
successfully exchanging combinations. Ananyan more powerful
and Matias the quicker. By the fourth, Matias started to
establish his dominance. He was making Ananyan miss several
overhand rights and tagging him with uppercuts and
combinations to the body.
By the fifth round, it was really heating up. Both men were
exchanging furiously in close quarters and the referee to
her credit was letting the action continue without much
interruption. Ananyan landed a thudding body shot and
towards the end of the round, muscled Matias to the ropes
but tiredness set in and both men resolved to hug out the
rest of the round.
In the sixth round, the fans of the opposing fighters
started the round with more action than the fighters
themselves, cheering both men on. The action picked up as
the fight went on with Ananyan landing some powerful right
hands. The fight was fought at a bit more of a distance
suiting Ananyan.
In round 7, Matias got a point deducted for a low blow but
went on to display good defense and landed various
eye-catching combinations that wobbled Ananyan. Ananyan
showed great heart hanging in there and in the last 20
seconds had a rally himself, landing a couple of hard shots.
He may yet have some life in the fight.
Matias was in cruise control in round 8, touching Ananyan up
at will. Ananyan tried to keep him honest by flashing the
jab as a deterrent, but the power was fading, and Matias'
head movement and high guard were much too effective.
Easiest round of the fight for Matias.
In the Ninth and what turned out to be the final round,
Matias put on a clinic. He practically landed everything he
threw and must have been bemused at how Pedro Ananyan was
still standing after taking all those power shots. 20
seconds to the end of the round and Ananyan finally
succumbed to a left hook; We had the first knockdown.
Ananyan made the count and the round ended but Ananyan
didn’t not come out of his corner at the bell after being
checked by the doctor.
Impressive showing from Matias. Masterful display.
|
|
|
