Alberto Puello took the victory against Gary Antuanne Russell at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 15. The super lightweight bout was featured on the PPV card topped by Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin.
The Dominican southpaw was awarded the win by split decision. In the ninth round he was deducted a point for holding, which some believed was questionable. In the 10th round Puello received a low blow. Russell suffered a low blow in the 11th round. In the end, after 12 rounds, one judge had 118-109 in favor of Russell, while two other judges scored the fight 115-112 and 114-113 for Puello.
Las Vegas-based Alberto Puello improved to 23-0, 10 KOs and remained undefeated. In addition to the win, the 29-year-old former WBA 140 lbs champion secured the division’s interim WBC belt.
“I got down on my knees and the first thing I did was thank God, and then I said, ‘I made it.’ The weight barrier, the time away from my family, it was all worth it,” Puello said. “It feels great to be a champion, because this will mark the beginning of a new chapter in my life.”
“It was the best I have ever fought in my life. The hard work being far away from my family finally paid off. Bring anybody on, I don’t care. I’m ready to face all comers.”
Gary Antuanne Russell dropped to 17-1, 17 KOs. The 28-year-old southpaw of Capitol Heights, Maryland suffered his first career defeat.
“It wasn’t about what Puello did tonight, it was about what I didn’t do,” said Russell. “I should have listened more and executed more.”
“Like I always say, if I execute our game plan, it’s a matter of fact that I’ll get the victory. But tonight, I fell short”.
Get Davis vs Martin full fight card results.