Good, bad, worse: Chris Colbert dominates again, RIP Lehlo
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Chris Colbert wasn’t perfect against Tugstsogt Nyambayar on Saturday in Carson, Calif.
For example, he got caught with punches he probably shouldn’t have taken. That might’ve been the result of overconfidence, which is something that can bite a fighter in the behind. He’s only 24. He’ll learn.
And he might not want to run in the final round, as he did. Fans expect their heroes to at least try to finish the show.
Here’s the thing, though. Colbert, as imperfect as he was, still won 10 of 12 rounds on two cards and nine on the third, although those scores might’ve been generous to the gallant, but overmatched Mongolian. I scored it 119-109, 11 rounds to one.
That’s how dominating the young man was.
And remember: He wasn’t fighting a pushover. Nyambayar took the fight on short notice and moved up in weight, which were disadvantages. That’s the downside. The upside is that the 2012 Olympic silver medalist has a polished skill set, he has power and he’s durable. He’s a damn good fighter.
And Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs0 made him look ordinary. The winner controlled the fight with one of the best jabs in the business, elite quickness and footwork that drove Nyambayar crazy. As a result, Colbert landed three times as many punches as Nyambayar overall, twice as many power shots.
He didn’t get the knockout – he usually doesn’t – but he made another strong statement just the same. He made it clear that it will take a special fighter just to compete with him, let alone beat him.
Does that kind of opponent exist at 130 pounds? Possibly. That’s where formidable Oscar Valdez, Jamel Herring and Shakur Stevenson campaign, although it might be difficult for him to get one of them into the ring anytime soon because of competing loyalties.
He’ll get the big fights eventually, though. And I’m not sure they’re going to look much different than his victory over Nyambayar did.
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BAD
Tugstsogt Nyambayar (left) had some positive moments against Chris Colbert on Saturday night. John McCoy / Getty Images
I feel for Nyambayar, who lost a wide decision to 126-pound champ Gary Russell Jr. in February of last year, narrowly outpointed Cobia Breedy in September and then was overmatched against Colbert.
That’s a tough stretch for any top fighter, one that will be difficult to overcome.
I think he’ll be back, though. One, he lost to two of the most-gifted fighters in the world, the second one in a fight he took on less than two weeks’ notice. There’s no shame in that.
And, again, he’s good. You don’t win a silver medal in the Olympics and then succeed as a professional if you’re not talented and well-trained. Even in defeat against Russell and Colbert you could see that he has ability, one that might allow him to beat highly ranked opponents not named Russell or Colbert.
I’m also guessing that his confidence will not have taken too big of a hit. He knows how good Russell and Colbert are. And he knows that his mission was particularly difficult on Saturday because he didn’t have much time to prepare.
Plus, as Colbert suggested before the fight, Nyambayar probably took the fight in part because of the payday. That’s understandable. I think his goal was to earn the money by fighting as hard as he could under difficult circumstances. He did that.
Nyambayar will now take some time off, get back in the gym and begin the rebuilding process against a more-beatable opponent at his natural weight, 126 pounds. I believe he’ll succeed.
Indeed, we haven’t seen the best of Tugstsogt Nyambayar.
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WORSE
I’ll never forget Lehlo Ledwaba, who reportedly died from COVID-19 at 49 Saturday.
It was early summer of 2001. The talented South African was the IBF 122-pound titleholder and about to make his sixth defense against a relatively unknown late replacement from the Philippines on the Oscar De La Hoya-Javier Castillejo card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Some knowledgeable observers thought the quick, hard-punching champion was on the doorstep of the pound-for-pound list. That’s the kind of respect he had gained until that point.
Then he ran head first into a tornado and was never the same. That Filipino? Manny Pacquiao.
The future Hall of Famer baffled Ledwaba (31-1-1, 22 KOs) with his in-and-out style and legendary quickness before stopping him 59 seconds into Round 6. It was a spectacular performance that served to introduce Pacquiao (32-2, 23 KOs) to the American audience, which would soon embrace wholeheartedly.
Ledwaba, so hot entering that fight, was only 3-4 the remainder of his career. His promoter, Rodney Berman, said he wouldn’t have taken the fight if he knew how good Pacquiao was.
“I think Ledwaba lost all his motivation after that fight,” Berman told The Ring. “Ledwaba was a great fighter. He was definitely among the South African elite with Welcome Ncita, Vuyani Bungu, etc.
“He was an all-rounder, he could punch and he had charisma. He was all encompassing.”
RIP, champ.
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RABBIT PUNCHES
Michel Rivera made a strong statement on the Colbert-Nyambayar undercard. The 23-year-old contender from the Dominican Republic overcame adversity – a knockdown in Round 6 – to stop tough Jon Fernandez (21-2, 18 KOs) with a single right hand in Round 8, which was a Knockout of the Year candidate. Rivera (21-0, 14 KOs) will have learned a great deal from the fight and he gave fans a knockout to remember. Not a bad night for him. … I try not to get too excited when I hear or read that two fighters are in serious or advanced negotiations but two such situations have my hopes up. Two fights reportedly in the works: Mikey Garcia vs. Regis Prograis and Jamel Herring vs. Shakur Stevenson. The thing I like best about the potential Garcia-Prograis matchup is that it will take place at 140 pounds, which is a natural weight for Garcia. He should be at his best. And Prograis is a special fighter, which makes this a special matchup. Herring would be making the fourth defense of his 130-pound title. He’s 35 but still near the top of his game. Stevenson, 24, is a rare talent on the rise. Early predictions: Garcia and Stevenson by decisions. It’s easy to forget how good Garcia is after his one-sided loss to Errol Spence Jr. And Stevenson’s natural gifts are off the charts. …
Eddy Reynoso, Canelo Alvarez’s trainer and manager, has said those who want his protégé to move up to 175 pounds only want to see him lose. Well, Alvarez apparently is in that group. Eddie Hearn, his promoter, says Alvarez has expressed an interest in facing imposing light heavyweight titleholder Artur Beterbiev. That fight stirs the imagination because it’s one that Alvarez could lose. Beterbiev is no Sergey Kovalev, who was past his prime when he lost to Alvarez. The two-time Olympian from Russia is skillful and a physical monster, as his 16 knockouts in 16 fights indicates. Kudos to Alvarez for even considering it. Of course, the Mexican star has some business to tend to beforehand. He’s in talks to fight Caleb Planet for the undisputed 168-pound championship in September. …
Good news. Undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez reportedly passed a COVID-19 test and will start training for his title defense against George Kambosos in August or September. The fight had been scheduled for June 19 but was postponed when Lopez contracted the virus. The fiery Kambosos is a genuine threat to Lopez. The fight should be a competitive and entertaining. If Lopez wins, next up for him could be a rematch with Vasiliy Lomachenko. … Now it’s Riddick Bowe’s turn. The former heavyweight champ reportedly is returning to the ring for an exhibition on Oct. 23 in Miami. No opponent has been selected. I don’t begrudge former champions a chance to make some money. I just don’t get why anyone would want to pay to see the geezers spar.
