Undefeated super featherweight Chris ‘Primetime’ Colbert 16-0 (6) will get his first world title shot when he takes on WBA champion Roger ‘The Kid’ Gutierrez 26-3-1 (20) at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 26.
“I’m super ready for my title shot,” the 25-year-old Colbert from Brooklyn said. “This has been a long time coming, but it’s no shocker to me. This was always the expectation.
“I know Gutierrez will come to fight. He’s a champion for a reason. So he’s not coming to lay down. But I plan to put him down and I’m willing to do whatever I have to do on February 26 to make that happen. I know a lot of people have been waiting to see when I get this title shot and now it’s time.”
The 26-year-old Gutierrez of Venezuela captured his world title with a unanimous decision victory over Rene ‘Gemelo’ Alvarado in January 2021, in a fight that saw him drop his opponent three times.
Gutierrez followed up that performance by defending his world championship and defeating Alvarado a second time in August 2021, again earning a unanimous decision.
He is unbeaten in his last seven outings, including four knockouts.
“First of all, I want to thank God, my mother, my team, my promoter and the WBA for this opportunity,” said Gutierrez.
“It cost me a lot of effort to win the world championship, this is my second title defense and I am ready to give it my all to retain it. On February 26, I am going to show the world that I am the best at 130 pounds.”
The Showtime telecast will also feature another unbeaten young phenom in the co-main event. Southpaw Gary Antuanne Russell 14-0 (14) a 2016 US Olympian who hails from Capitol Heights in Maryland, faces former world champion Viktor ‘The Iceman’ Postol 31-3 (12) of the Ukraine in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.
In the televised opener of the loaded tripleheader IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin ‘Pretty Boy’ Ancajas 33-1-2 (22) of the Philippines defends his title against unbeaten Argentine Fernando ‘Pumita’ Martinez 13-0 (8).
“We’ve had the pleasure of watching Chris Colbert develop from a prospect to a contender on Showtime, so it’s only fitting that he will get a chance to take yet another step in his progression with a title shot against Roger Gutierrez on our network,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.
“Gary Antuanne Russell is following a similar recipe for stardom. If he can turn back the tough-as-nails Viktor Postol, it will be another signal that his time in the spotlight may soon be at hand.
“We’ve seen the destructive talents of Jerwin Ancajas on Showtime before. His title defense against Fernando Martinez should be a barnburner and the perfect start to a fantastic night of boxing.”
