On the undercard of the Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin event, Alberto Puello defeated Gary Antuanne Russell (17-1, 17 KOs) by way of a split decision and won the WBC super-lightweight interim title.
(Photo credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions)
In the opening round, Gary Antuanne Russell got off to a quick start as he utilized the jab and landed a couple of combinations. Russell continued to press forward in the second round while Alberto Puello attempted to establish the range to set up his offense.
Early in the third, Russell used the jab to get inside, then landed a flurry of punches. Russell continued to be active in the fourth, while Puello was content with looking to land timely countershots.
Puello dictated the pace in the fifth round by using his jab and firing shots to the body. Russell resumed his role of the aggressor in the sixth, as he set up his backhand by doubling up on the jab. Puello spent the majority of the sixth round fighting off the back foot, and he was able to land a clean left hook.
In the 7th and 8th rounds, Puello slowed the pace by using lateral movement and throwing his countershots. Puello was building momentum, but his momentum was stalled early in the ninth round when the referee deducted a point from Puello due to holding.
Puello started the 10th by landing a solid right hook. Russell responded by focusing on the body of his opponent. Puello continued to experience success in the 11th as he was able to connect with some effective counterpunches.
In the twelfth round, Russell was hit by a low blow and was given a moment to recuperate. When the match continued, Russell aggressively pressed forward, but Puello stood his ground and landed the sharp counters again.
After the match, one judge scored the bout 118-109 in favor of Russell, but that card was overruled by the other two judges who scored the bout 115-112 and 114-113 in favor of Alberto Puello.
The Dominican boxer Alberto Puello (23-0, 10 KOs) won the WBC super-lightweight interim title with the win. Now Puello is in a position to challenge the WBC world title match winner between the current champion Devin Haney and the challenger Sandor Martin.
Read the full article here
