Fernando Martinez upset Jerwin Ancajas in a non-stop brawl Saturday in Las Vegas.
Fernando Martinez won a world title and about a million fans on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Martinez outslugged longtime IBF 115-pound titleholder Jerwin Ancjas to win a wide unanimous decision in an early Fight of the Year candidate on the Chris Colbert-Hector Luis Garcia card at The Cosmopolitan.
The final scores were 118-110, 118-110 and 117-111. Boxing Junkie scored it 117-111 for Martinez, whose late father had predicted he would become a champion.
“It hurts so much that my father’s not here for this great moment in my life but I know he oversaw this,” Martinez said.
The fighters tossed defense out the window before the opening bell, exchanging punches toe-to-toe the entire fight.
Both landed hard, accurate punches. Martinez simply landed many more of them.
So many, in fact, that referee Jack Reiss told Ancajas’ corner that he was taking a lot punches. That meant he wasn’t going to allow the Filipino to take too much punishment.
Ancajas was able to finish the fight but was never able to keep pace with Martinez.
The now-former champion was making the 10th defense of his belt, making him one of the longest-running titleholders. And he could have the opportunity to win it back: There was a rematch clause in the contract signed by the fighters.
Will Ancajas take it?
“Yes, I’ll do it,” he said. “But I’ll do everything next time to achieve my goal.”
Fernando Martinez upset Jerwin Ancajas in a non-stop brawl Saturday in Las Vegas.
Fernando Martinez won a world title and about a million fans on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Martinez outslugged longtime IBF 115-pound titleholder Jerwin Ancjas to win a wide unanimous decision in an early Fight of the Year candidate on the Chris Colbert-Hector Luis Garcia card at The Cosmopolitan.
The final scores were 118-110, 118-110 and 117-111. Boxing Junkie scored it 117-111 for Martinez, whose late father had predicted he would become a champion.
“It hurts so much that my father’s not here for this great moment in my life but I know he oversaw this,” Martinez said.
The fighters tossed defense out the window before the opening bell, exchanging punches toe-to-toe the entire fight.
Both landed hard, accurate punches. Martinez simply landed many more of them.
So many, in fact, that referee Jack Reiss told Ancajas’ corner that he was taking a lot punches. That meant he wasn’t going to allow the Filipino to take too much punishment.
Ancajas was able to finish the fight but was never able to keep pace with Martinez.
The now-former champion was making the 10th defense of his belt, making him one of the longest-running titleholders. And he could have the opportunity to win it back: There was a rematch clause in the contract signed by the fighters.
Will Ancajas take it?
“Yes, I’ll do it,” he said. “But I’ll do everything next time to achieve my goal.”
Gary Antuanne Russell is confident that he’ll pass the Viktor Postol test on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Everyone should have a better handle on how good Gary Antuanne Russell is after Saturday.
Russell, a junior welterweight prospect who has stopped all 14 of his opponents, is scheduled to take on veteran Viktor Postol on the Chris Colbert-Hector Luis Garcia card Saturday in Las Vegas (Showtime).
Postol (31-3, 12 KOs) was at his peak six, seven years ago, when he held a major 140-pound title. And he’s 38, raising questions about how much the Ukrainian might have left in the tank.
At the same time, he’s a clever, durable boxer with a wealth of experience who gave Jose Ramirez more trouble than many people expected in his most-recent fight, a year and a half ago.
Make no mistake: This is a test for the talented Russell.
“A fighter of his caliber, beating him in any form is a statement,” Russell said at a news conference Thursday. “You can’t take anything away from what he’s done in this sport. He says he’s driven. Well, I’m driven too.
“A person who is determined can become dangerous. And I’m one of those determined people. We’re both going to bring our best. I’m coming to give a great performance.”
Meanwhile, Postol, who trains with Freddie Roach in Los Angeles, said he doesn’t feel like a man approaching his 40th birthday.
“I feel young and strong,” he said. “I believe in myself. I’m very confident that I will become world champion again. This fight is a step toward achieving that feat again.
“Having Freddie Roach as a trainer is a huge boost for me. He’s always able to give me the right adjustments in training and during the fight. It just helps my confidence even more.”
Postol will enter the ring with a heavy heart, as his country is at war with Russian invaders, but he’s trying to keep his mind on boxing.
“The situation in Ukraine has escalated a lot and it’s hard not to think about it,” Postol said. “I’m working on focusing on the fight. My family is in the middle of everything, but they are safe and that’s what is most important.”
Russell hopes the war will serve to inspire Postol.
Said Russell: “I hope that with everything going on back home for Postol in Ukraine, that it motivates him and makes him hungry to give the world a great fight on Saturday.”
If he wins, Russell, the brother of former featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr., believes he will have taken a major step in his career.
“To be the next rising superstar, that’s part of our plan,” he said. “I’ve believed it all along, and now that other people are starting to see it, we’re getting that much closer to our goal. The plan is to keep the knockout streak going.
“Execution is always our goal. That’s the family credo.”
Gary Antuanne Russell is confident that he’ll pass the Viktor Postol test on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Everyone should have a better handle on how good Gary Antuanne Russell is after Saturday.
Russell, a junior welterweight prospect who has stopped all 14 of his opponents, is scheduled to take on veteran Viktor Postol on the Chris Colbert-Hector Luis Garcia card Saturday in Las Vegas (Showtime).
Postol (31-3, 12 KOs) was at his peak six, seven years ago, when he held a major 140-pound title. And he’s 38, raising questions about how much the Ukrainian might have left in the tank.
At the same time, he’s a clever, durable boxer with a wealth of experience who gave Jose Ramirez more trouble than many people expected in his most-recent fight, a year and a half ago.
Make no mistake: This is a test for the talented Russell.
“A fighter of his caliber, beating him in any form is a statement,” Russell said at a news conference Thursday. “You can’t take anything away from what he’s done in this sport. He says he’s driven. Well, I’m driven too.
“A person who is determined can become dangerous. And I’m one of those determined people. We’re both going to bring our best. I’m coming to give a great performance.”
Meanwhile, Postol, who trains with Freddie Roach in Los Angeles, said he doesn’t feel like a man approaching his 40th birthday.
“I feel young and strong,” he said. “I believe in myself. I’m very confident that I will become world champion again. This fight is a step toward achieving that feat again.
“Having Freddie Roach as a trainer is a huge boost for me. He’s always able to give me the right adjustments in training and during the fight. It just helps my confidence even more.”
Postol will enter the ring with a heavy heart, as his country is at war with Russian invaders, but he’s trying to keep his mind on boxing.
“The situation in Ukraine has escalated a lot and it’s hard not to think about it,” Postol said. “I’m working on focusing on the fight. My family is in the middle of everything, but they are safe and that’s what is most important.”
Russell hopes the war will serve to inspire Postol.
Said Russell: “I hope that with everything going on back home for Postol in Ukraine, that it motivates him and makes him hungry to give the world a great fight on Saturday.”
If he wins, Russell, the brother of former featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr., believes he will have taken a major step in his career.
“To be the next rising superstar, that’s part of our plan,” he said. “I’ve believed it all along, and now that other people are starting to see it, we’re getting that much closer to our goal. The plan is to keep the knockout streak going.
“Execution is always our goal. That’s the family credo.”
Chris Colbert: ‘If (Hector Garcia) thinks I’m a clown, I’m going to juggle with him’
Hector Luis Garcia wants to know whether rising junior lightweight contender Chris Colbert’s ability matches his bravado.
The Dominican fighter will find out Saturday in Las Vegas (Showtime).
That’s where they’ll meet after titleholder Roger Gutierrez pulled out of his defense against Colbert because he contracted the coronavirus and Garcia agreed on short notice to step in.
“I’ve seen Chris fight and what I really want to see is if he’s all about boxing or if he’s about the circus. I’m going to make him work for this,” Garcia said during a news conference Thursday.
Colbert’s response? He went along with Garcia’s analogy in firing back at his opponent.
“I can do it all in the ring. How are you going to beat me if I can do it all? I’m a real fighter and I want to give the fans tremendous action,” he said.
“… If he thinks I’m a clown, I’m going to juggle with him on Saturday and give everyone a show.”
Garcia (14-0, 10 KOs) said he’s prepared for the challenge.
“My team has worked tirelessly to have me ready for this great fight,” the 2016 Olympian said. “I don’t consider this a dangerous fight, because I feel ready. Thanks to my team, I have the foundation to become victorious. I’m going to show the fans what I’m capable of Saturday night.”
He went on: “This is the moment I’ve always waited for. This is the chance to announce myself on a big stage. I know that I just have to leave it all in the ring.”
Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs) said he was ready for Gutierrez. And now he’s ready for Garcia.
“He has 10 knockouts but that doesn’t scare me. Everyone knows what I do. Every time someone has power against me, they get beat bad. I don’t know what I’m going to beat him with, but I’m going to beat him down.
“I’m not cocky, it’s just confidence in my skills. We’ve put in the work. I’m in Superman shape. I was ready to take that title.”
Chris Colbert: ‘If (Hector Garcia) thinks I’m a clown, I’m going to juggle with him’
Hector Luis Garcia wants to know whether rising junior lightweight contender Chris Colbert’s ability matches his bravado.
The Dominican fighter will find out Saturday in Las Vegas (Showtime).
That’s where they’ll meet after titleholder Roger Gutierrez pulled out of his defense against Colbert because he contracted the coronavirus and Garcia agreed on short notice to step in.
“I’ve seen Chris fight and what I really want to see is if he’s all about boxing or if he’s about the circus. I’m going to make him work for this,” Garcia said during a news conference Thursday.
Colbert’s response? He went along with Garcia’s analogy in firing back at his opponent.
“I can do it all in the ring. How are you going to beat me if I can do it all? I’m a real fighter and I want to give the fans tremendous action,” he said.
“… If he thinks I’m a clown, I’m going to juggle with him on Saturday and give everyone a show.”
Garcia (14-0, 10 KOs) said he’s prepared for the challenge.
“My team has worked tirelessly to have me ready for this great fight,” the 2016 Olympian said. “I don’t consider this a dangerous fight, because I feel ready. Thanks to my team, I have the foundation to become victorious. I’m going to show the fans what I’m capable of Saturday night.”
He went on: “This is the moment I’ve always waited for. This is the chance to announce myself on a big stage. I know that I just have to leave it all in the ring.”
Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs) said he was ready for Gutierrez. And now he’s ready for Garcia.
“He has 10 knockouts but that doesn’t scare me. Everyone knows what I do. Every time someone has power against me, they get beat bad. I don’t know what I’m going to beat him with, but I’m going to beat him down.
“I’m not cocky, it’s just confidence in my skills. We’ve put in the work. I’m in Superman shape. I was ready to take that title.”
Chris Colbert vs. Hector Luis Garcia: date, time, how to watch, background.
Junior lightweight contender Chris Colbert returns to the ring against late replacement Hector Luis Garcia on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Chris Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs) vs. Hector Luis Garcia (26-0, 13 KOs)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 26
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Junior lightweight
Rounds: 12
At stake: Title eliminator
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Jerwin Ancajas vs. Fernando Martinez, junior bantamweights (for Ancajas’ IBF title); Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Viktor Postol, junior welterweights
Prediction: Colbert UD
Background: Colbert was scheduled to challenge WBA 130-pound titleholder but Gutierrez had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. Garcia took the fight on a week’s notice. Colbert has dominated everyone placed in front of him with his unusual combination of speed and skill. He’s coming off a one-sided decision victory over respected Tugstsogt Nyambayar this past July. Of course, Colbert was disappointed that his first title shot fell through but another one will come soon enough if he continues to win. Garcia is no pushover replacement opponent. The Dominican represented his country in the 2016 Olympics, losing in the first round. He can box. However, while he has almost as many pro fights as Colbert, he hasn’t fought at an elite level. He has taken part in 11-round bouts in the Dominican Republic but his last three fights have been eight-rounders, the most-recent one a unanimous decision over Isaac Avelar on the David Morrell-Alantez Fox card in December.
Chris Colbert vs. Hector Luis Garcia: date, time, how to watch, background.
Junior lightweight contender Chris Colbert returns to the ring against late replacement Hector Luis Garcia on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Chris Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs) vs. Hector Luis Garcia (26-0, 13 KOs)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 26
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Junior lightweight
Rounds: 12
At stake: Title eliminator
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Jerwin Ancajas vs. Fernando Martinez, junior bantamweights (for Ancajas’ IBF title); Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Viktor Postol, junior welterweights
Prediction: Colbert UD
Background: Colbert was scheduled to challenge WBA 130-pound titleholder but Gutierrez had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. Garcia took the fight on a week’s notice. Colbert has dominated everyone placed in front of him with his unusual combination of speed and skill. He’s coming off a one-sided decision victory over respected Tugstsogt Nyambayar this past July. Of course, Colbert was disappointed that his first title shot fell through but another one will come soon enough if he continues to win. Garcia is no pushover replacement opponent. The Dominican represented his country in the 2016 Olympics, losing in the first round. He can box. However, while he has almost as many pro fights as Colbert, he hasn’t fought at an elite level. He has taken part in 11-round bouts in the Dominican Republic but his last three fights have been eight-rounders, the most-recent one a unanimous decision over Isaac Avelar on the David Morrell-Alantez Fox card in December.
Chris Colbert bides his time in the belief that superfights are on the horizon.
Chris Colbert was disappointed but not devastated when his first opportunity to fight for a world title fell through, the result of WBA 130-pound champ Roger Gutierrez’s positive test for COVID-19.
He knows his time will come soon enough.
The 25-year-old Brooklyn native was set to challenge Gutierrez this Saturday in Las Vegas (Showtime) but Gutierrez pulled out about two weeks ago. Hector Luis Garcia agreed to step in shortly afterward for what is now being billed a title eliminator.
If things go well, Colbert said, Gutierrez comes next.
“Hundred percent we’re going to get the shot at Gutierrez after this fight,” he told Boxing Junkie, “but we’re not looking past this fight. We still got a tough test ahead of us, an undefeated Olympian.
“So we’re going to stay focused on this fight for right now.”
That makes sense. Garcia (14-0, 10 KOs) is relatively unknown but he has credentials, including a solid amateur career that culminated in an appearance in the 2016 Olympics for the Dominican Republic.
His potential problem is that he has never tangled with anyone like Colbert, at least outside sparring. Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs) has a combination of speed, skill and ring IQ that many believe will lead him to stardom.
The one knock on him has been that he doesn’t have one-punch knockout power. However, three of his six knockouts have come in his last six fights, an indication that he’s becoming a more dangerous puncher.
“In the beginning … I was punching and moving and trying not to get hit,” he said. “Now I’m sitting down, staying in the pocket, banging [people] out, doing what I do. I’m showing the world I can do it all, just in case they didn’t know.
“Am I getting better? For show. You have to write it that way, for show, not for sure.”
If things go well on Saturday, Colbert and his handlers will shift their attention to Gutierrez and then the biggest names at and near his weight.
Colbert was asked by Boxing Junkie to assess a list of five potential opponents and he gave his approval. The fighters presented to him were Gutierrez (so he can claim his first major belt), Isaac Cruz, Leo Santa Cruz, Gary Russell Jr. and Gervonta Davis.
If he can lure the majority of those fighters into the ring and beat them, he will have realized what he believes is his destiny.
“That sounds like a tremendous list, actually,” he said. “Those are great fights that can be made. Isaac Cruz, definitely. Gervonta Davis. I’ll definitely fight him but that’s down the line because that’s a superfight. Leo Santa Cruz. Great fight because he’s a multiple-time world champion.
“… Gary Russell. That’s a fight that I want. And Roger Gutierrez. That’s a fight that I need.”
Now all Colbert has to do is wait for the opportunities to present themselves and continue to win.
He has faith that his handlers – including manager Al Haymon – will get him the biggest names. He’s never had any doubts whatsoever about his ability to win fights regardless of opponents, which he believes is one key to his success.
And he has mastered one more thing over the past few years: patience. The opportunities will come.
“When I was a kid I had problems being patient,” he said. “But like I said, I have a tremendous team. They know what they’re doing. I know what I’m doing. … I can’t ask for too much at one time because God does things on his time.
“What’s meant for you will happen when it’s time for it to happen.”
Chris Colbert bides his time in the belief that superfights are on the horizon.
Chris Colbert was disappointed but not devastated when his first opportunity to fight for a world title fell through, the result of WBA 130-pound champ Roger Gutierrez’s positive test for COVID-19.
He knows his time will come soon enough.
The 25-year-old Brooklyn native was set to challenge Gutierrez this Saturday in Las Vegas (Showtime) but Gutierrez pulled out about two weeks ago. Hector Luis Garcia agreed to step in shortly afterward for what is now being billed a title eliminator.
If things go well, Colbert said, Gutierrez comes next.
“Hundred percent we’re going to get the shot at Gutierrez after this fight,” he told Boxing Junkie, “but we’re not looking past this fight. We still got a tough test ahead of us, an undefeated Olympian.
“So we’re going to stay focused on this fight for right now.”
That makes sense. Garcia (14-0, 10 KOs) is relatively unknown but he has credentials, including a solid amateur career that culminated in an appearance in the 2016 Olympics for the Dominican Republic.
His potential problem is that he has never tangled with anyone like Colbert, at least outside sparring. Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs) has a combination of speed, skill and ring IQ that many believe will lead him to stardom.
The one knock on him has been that he doesn’t have one-punch knockout power. However, three of his six knockouts have come in his last six fights, an indication that he’s becoming a more dangerous puncher.
“In the beginning … I was punching and moving and trying not to get hit,” he said. “Now I’m sitting down, staying in the pocket, banging [people] out, doing what I do. I’m showing the world I can do it all, just in case they didn’t know.
“Am I getting better? For show. You have to write it that way, for show, not for sure.”
If things go well on Saturday, Colbert and his handlers will shift their attention to Gutierrez and then the biggest names at and near his weight.
Colbert was asked by Boxing Junkie to assess a list of five potential opponents and he gave his approval. The fighters presented to him were Gutierrez (so he can claim his first major belt), Isaac Cruz, Leo Santa Cruz, Gary Russell Jr. and Gervonta Davis.
If he can lure the majority of those fighters into the ring and beat them, he will have realized what he believes is his destiny.
“That sounds like a tremendous list, actually,” he said. “Those are great fights that can be made. Isaac Cruz, definitely. Gervonta Davis. I’ll definitely fight him but that’s down the line because that’s a superfight. Leo Santa Cruz. Great fight because he’s a multiple-time world champion.
“… Gary Russell. That’s a fight that I want. And Roger Gutierrez. That’s a fight that I need.”
Now all Colbert has to do is wait for the opportunities to present themselves and continue to win.
He has faith that his handlers – including manager Al Haymon – will get him the biggest names. He’s never had any doubts whatsoever about his ability to win fights regardless of opponents, which he believes is one key to his success.
And he has mastered one more thing over the past few years: patience. The opportunities will come.
“When I was a kid I had problems being patient,” he said. “But like I said, I have a tremendous team. They know what they’re doing. I know what I’m doing. … I can’t ask for too much at one time because God does things on his time.
“What’s meant for you will happen when it’s time for it to happen.”
