Two skilled, hard-hitting technicians will throw down when unbeaten rising sensation Chris "Primetime" Colbert puts his interim 130-pound title on the line against Tugstogt "King Tug" Nyambayar Saturday night on SHOWTIME.
This Saturday, July 3, on SHOWTIME, live from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, undefeated interim WBA World Super Featherweight Champion Chris “Primetime” Colbert (15-0, 6 KOs) faces the dangerous Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar (12-1, 9 KOs) atop a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
The Premier Boxing Champions event will feature unbeaten rising star Michel Rivera squaring off against Jon Fernandez in a 135-pound WBA title eliminator. Opening the show will be a special replay of last Saturday’s exciting pay-per-view main event, Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios, from State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
The Story
Chris Colbert is a true rising star and universally regarded as one of the top young talents in boxing. Just 24 years of age and two fights into his reign as interim WBA super featherweight champ, the world beyond the hardcore boxing fan base is starting to see what “Primetime” is all about.
In his last fight, the flashy Brooklyn native showed another facet of his game by standing in the pocket and battling with Jaime Arboleda, gradually breaking down the tough Panamanian and stopping him in the eleventh round. Prior to that, he scored a title-winning unanimous decision victory over former world champ Jezzrel Corrales.
Tugstsogt Nyambayar, who’s replacing the injured Yuriorkis Gamboa on just about two weeks’ notice, won a silver medal representing his native Mongolia in the 2012 Olympic games. This will be his first big fight at super featherweight following a successful, but ultimately bittersweet run at featherweight.
After tearing through opposition at 126, “King Tug” got his title shot against long-reigning WBC featherweight champ Gary Russell Jr. in February 2020. Despite coming on strong late in the fight and having some solid moments, he ended up dropping a unanimous decision to the mega-talented champ. In his last bout, he took a split decision victory over previously undefeated Cobia Breedy.
The Stakes
At stake is Colbert’s interim WBA super featherweight title and upward mobility in the loaded 130-pound division.
The Matchup
Colbert is a uniquely gifted fighter with extreme natural speed and outstanding reflexes. A natural right-hander who switches effortlessly to southpaw, he works a blindingly quick jab and is equally effective from both stances.
“Primetime” is supremely confident and possesses an in-ring analytical ability beyond his years. His fluid, improvisational style and all-around speed make him hard to defend against and next-to-impossible to get a bead on.
Although everything he throws is quick and effective, his right hook from the southpaw stance seems to be his most potent one-punch offensive weapon.
Nyambayar is a mature, clinical, well-schooled fighter. He has picture-perfect technique on offense and throws crisp, accurate combinations. His best weapon is a quick, strong right hand that can be delivered with fight-ending impact from just about any angle.
A weakness that has popped up in recent fights is a sluggishness in dealing with speedy opponents. In his bouts with both Russell and Breedy, he was often unable and/or unwilling to let his hands go because of his opponents’ speed. He was also slow in cutting off the ring against his faster foes. To his credit, he eventually found a rhythm and a way to connect, but his difficulties definitely lost him rounds.
Defensively, Nyambayar is solid and is adept at picking off punches with his gloves.
“ I’m looking to dominate. ” Undefeated WBA Interim World Super Featherweight Champion - Chris "Primetime" Colbert
The Words
Chris Colbert
“I’m very excited to be back in the ring on July 4 weekend. I get to set off my fireworks on SHOWTIME the night before. This is just another day, another dollar. I have a job to do, and that’s to get the win by any means necessary, but I’m looking to dominate. I expect Nyambayar to bring his A-game though because he knows he’ll be in there with a monster. I may not be the biggest puncher in the world, but I know how to finish a guy and get him out of there, and on July 3 that’s exactly what I’ll be looking to do.”
Tugstsogt Nyambayar
“When I got the call about this fight, I jumped at the opportunity. I can’t wait to compete. I was born for fights like this. I’m going to leave it all in the ring and give the fans a great show on July 3.”
The Breakdown
When it comes to Colbert vs. Nyambayar, speed is the X-factor.
Nyambayar has reportedly been working on fluidity and speed with trainer John Pullman, but it remains to be seen whether he can advance enough to deal with the kind of otherworldly quickness Colbert possesses.
If the Mongolian can find a way to consistently reach Colbert, he’ll do well. His combination punching will be an asset in getting a second and third shot at connecting and his tenacious nature will always keep him alive and trying. There’s no quit in “King Tug,” so that already puts him ahead of most Colbert opponents, who lose steam and confidence after a few rounds of whiffing and getting countered.
Colbert, meanwhile, will make things infinitely easier on himself if he opts to be the elusive and hard-to-time “Primetime” who was once called the "best prospect on the planet" by respected trainer and commentator Joe Goossen. A four-inch reach advantage will certainly help in facilitating a hit-and-don’t-get-hit groove.
This is a risky fight for the young Brooklynite and, arguably, a much more difficult task than original opponent Yuriorkis Gamboa. Colbert will have to be his sharpest self and show some elite-level focus because Nyambayar will keep coming all night, looking for his script-flipping moments.
Expect extreme intrigue Saturday night on SHOWTIME. Colbert is the superstar-in-the-making, but one slip-up could spell disaster—and Nyambayar has the tools needed to spring a surprise.
For a closer look at Colbert vs Nyambayar, check out our fight night page.
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