By: Sean Crose
WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr was set to return to the ring for the first time in nearly a year on Saturday night. His opponent? The undefeated Mark Magsayo, who fought his way to the title of Russell Jr. First, however, there are two matches below that are streamed live on Showtime. First, the 10th round of the featherweight superweight division saw Sakaria Lukas and Tugstsogt Nyambayar play in a draw.
The bronze match was a 12-round junior heavyweight rematch between Petops Ananyan, 16-2, and Subriel Matias, 17-1. Ananyan emerges from the first fight, winning by a unanimous decision. Matias clearly wanted a different result the second time around. The fight was at close range for a good part of the first one. The second round has ended, with each man fighting for success on the inside. The boxers continued to switch attacks in the third round.
Action slows down a bit in the fourth installment – though Matias looks to have the edge. The boxers continued to engage in the fifth part, then continued at a furious pace in the sixth part. Matias lost one point in the seventh inning. However, Matias seems to take control in season eight. Ananyan fought with great courage in the ninth match. However, Matias was able to put his man on the frame before the end of the round. Ananyan stood up but looked bad. The referee stops the match between rounds on the advice of the ring doctor.
