Chris Colbert retained his WBA Interim Super Featherweight title, as he put on a clinic to take a wide points win against Tugstsogt Nyambayar in Carson, California on Saturday.
Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs) has held the belt since January 2020, defeating Jezzrel Corrales, and the 24-year-old Brooklynite made a successful second defence here.
2012 Olympic Silver Medallist Nyambayar (12-2, 9 KOs) was stepping in at short notice, and moving up in weight, following the late withdrawal of Yuriorkis Gamboa, and the Mongolian lost his previous attempt at world honours in February 2020, dropping a decision to Gary Russell Jr in a challenge for the WBC title at Featherweight.
The 24-year-old dominated in this one, using his superior hand and foot speed to keep out of trouble, although ‘King Tug’ did have his moments in the early going.
Nayambayar did seem to shake Colbert up in the third, but the champion quickly wrestled back the initiative, working off a supreme jab that the 29-year-old just couldn’t find the answers to.
Colbert was allowed to coast through the later rounds, with his opponent trying to wait for mistakes that were never going to come, and as the bout wound down, the result was in little doubt.
Two scores of 118-110 and a third at 117-111 confirmed Colbert’s dominance. He will now hope to be elevated to full champion status, with the ‘Super’ crown currently held by Gervonta Davis, who last operated at Super Lightweight, and the ‘Regular’ strap currently the property of Roger Gutierrez.
Both Colbert and Nyambayar were on the attack in RD1!#ColbertNyambayar pic.twitter.com/RY5A6efxKq
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 4, 2021
“I’m number one in the WBA,” said Colbert. “So you know what time it is. I’m going to follow the plan and see what happens next.”
Undercard Results
At Lightweight, Michel Rivera remained unbeaten, but was forced to come off the canvas before scoring an eighth round stoppage against Jon Fernandez.
Rivera (21-0, 14 KOs) was down in the sixth, but rallied to floor and stop Fernandez (21-2, 18 KOs) two rounds later. The contest was an eliminator for the WBA Lightweight title.
WOW. Michel Rivera with a devastating KO in his @showtime debut! pic.twitter.com/bghXKJrBjo
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 4, 2021
In the battle of unbeatens, Angel Alejandro (10-0, 4 KOs) took an eight round decision win against Rudy Ochoa (10-1, 5 KOs). Scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 gave the Texan the win.
At Featherweight, Shon Mondragon (6-0-1, 2 KOs) and Jose Perez (9-1-2, 4 KOs) couldn’t be split in a six round majority decision draw, while Super Featherweight, Daniel Garcia (2-0, 2 KOs) knocked out Gabe Sandoval (1-1, 1 KO) in two rounds.
Rajon Chance moved to 5-0 (5 KOs) with a first round knockout of Marco Lara (0-2), while the other two contests went the distance, Anthony Cuba (2-0-1, 1 KO) taking a majority decision win over four against William Flenoy (0-2), and Gabriela Fundora (2-0) notching a four round decision win against Indeya Smith (1-2-1, 1 KO).
