By Boxing Bob Newman
WBA interim super bantamweight champion Victor Santillan and challenger Gary Antonio Russell held and wrestled almost as much as they threw punches in a frustrating battle of two southpaws. Referee Robert Hoyle warned both fighters on numerous occasions to stop holding.
In the middle rounds, Russell finally began to use his speed and boxing to land nice combinations on Santillan, who had no answer. Santillan became the holder in the second half of the fight. With the first punch he threw of the twelfth round, Russell dropped Santillan with a right hand. Santillan beat the count and managed to maul and hold his way to the final bell.
The final scores read: 118-109 and 119-108 twice for the new interim WBA champ, Gary Antonio Russell, now 22-1. Santillan falls to 16-3.
Naoya Inoue is the undisputed champion at this weight. If he remains at 122 lbs to defend in a super fight against “Bam” Rodriguez, then moves up to feather, Russell could be elevated to full WBA champ.
