Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
SHELTON, Washington — Jesus Cuellar made the first successful defense of his WBA world featherweight title with three body shot knockdowns on Ruben Tamayo for a fifth round stoppage last night at the Little Creek Casino Resort.
Tamayo could not withstand Cuellar’s aggression and quickly came under constant heavy hooks to the body. Tamayo was forced to take a knee twice in the fourth off left hooks downstairs. A ringside doctor nearly stopped it early in the fifth due to heavy swelling on Tamayo’s face. A minute later, the challenger was down in a corner off another left hand, forcing referee Mark Nelson to call the bout with a 1:48 left.
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GARY RUSSELL COMPLETES COMEBACK WITH WIDE UD OVER CHRIS MARTIN: Gary Russell took the first step to putting his defeat to Vasyl Lomachenko behind him by scoring a lopsided unanimous decision over Chris Martin (100-90 twice, 99-91). Martin could not deal with Russell’s speed and was constantly beaten to the punch. Martin had some isolated success working the body when Russell opted to be stationary, but overall the difference in class was clear. If you’re a Russell fan, the continuing point of concern is Russell still throwing flurries without much power. This is exactly what allowed Lomachenko to walk through him earlier this year.
If Russell hopes to be a force at the top of the featherweight division, he’ll have to start getting respect for his power.
J-ROCK WILLIAMS TKO8 JAMAR FREEMAN: Julian “J-Rock” Williams improved to 18-0 (11 KOs) with an efficient and poised breakdown of Jamar Freeman. Williams controlled Freeman with the jab and exploded with sharp hooks to the head and body. Williams’ defense, particularly his head movement, frustrated Freeman’s attempts to counter. Williams wrapped up the contest with two knockdowns in the seventh, and a coup de grace assortment of hooks in the eighth to drop Freeman to his knees for the finish.
JULIUS JACKSON TKO9 JONATHAN NELSON: In a fun opening bout, Julius Jackson brawled and boxed his way to a ninth round TKO over a game Jonathan Nelson. Both guys succeeded in landing flush, loud shots, producing roars of approval from the crowd. But Nelson was the more limited fighter, allowing Jackson to get off first with straighter punches and using his superior athletic ability to stay out of harm’s way. Nelson was down in the first and heavier in the eighth, the latter effectively taking most of the fight out of him. A few solid shots and a wobble from Nelson i the ninth prompted referee Jack Weiss to call the bout.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 