Photos: Gary Antuanne Russell Stops Viktor Postol in Toughest Test

Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas - Rising junior welterweight Gary Antuanne Russell (15-0, 15 KOs) was nearly forced to go the distance for the first time. He picked up his biggest career win with a stoppage of former world champion Viktor Postol (31-3, 12 KOs) in the final minute of the tenth round. (photos by Stephanie Trapp and Ryan Hafey)

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In the first, Russell came out pressing the action and taking the fight to Postol. Russell was throwing a lot of punches. Postol was trying to create space to get his jab going. During the second, Russell continued to press hard with a high workrate. Postol was starting to land some of his counters.

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The third saw the action getting closer as Postol was finding his timing. During the fourth, Postol was doing much better from the distance. Russell was now picking his punches instead of charging in. The fifth was also close. Postol was making the fight tough by getting his hands go and preventing Russell from coming in.

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Russell came out firing with both hands in the sixth. Postol was coming back with punches of his own to trade. Russell landed a few big bombs, but Postol took them and returned fire. Russell did good aggressive work in the seventh. Postol was still being competitive. During the eight, Russell was outworking Postol and landing more eye-catching punches.

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In the ninth, Russell continued to outland Postol and took away his jab. During the tenth and final round, Russell rocked Postol in the final minute. Russell was looking to close the show by pinning Postol against the ropes - with the referee jumping in a little too early to wave off the fight.

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