Tugstsogt Nyambayar steps in to face Chris Colbert on July 3

Yuriorkis Gamboa’s injured rib appears to have paved the way for a much better July 3rd Showtime event. Showtime have announced that former featherweight title challenger Tugstsogt Nyambayar will step up in weight on short notice to challenge Chris Colbert for the WBA interim super featherweight title.

Former Olympian Nyambayar (12-1, 9 KO) is best-known for his solid effort against Gary Russell Jr in February 2020, having previously beaten Claudio Marrero for mandatory status. He would not fight again until September, when he narrowly defeated late replacement Cobia Breedy on Showtime’s Lubin-Gausha card.

“When I got the call about this fight, I jumped at the opportunity,” said Nyambayar. “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.”

He’s definitely the smaller man here and is giving up a lot of reach, but he’s far and away a more compelling opponent for Colbert (15-0, 6 KO) than Gamboa ever was. “King Tug” is skilled, tough as nails, and has some real pop when he lets his hands go. I applaud the relevant parties’ improvisation skills.

“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,” said Colbert. “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.

The three-fight card will also see Michel Rivera (20-0, 13 KO) take on Jon Fernandez (21-1, 18 KO) in a 10-round lightweight bout, plus 140 lb prospect Richardson Hitchins (12-0, 5 KO) against Darwin Price (17-1, 10 KO) in another 10-rounder.