By Keith Idec

NEW YORK – Gary Atuanne Russell made quick work of Roberto Almazan on Saturday night at Barclays Center.

The developing lightweight prospect scored three knockdowns in a little less than four minutes of action to keep his perfect knockout record intact. Referee Shada Murdaugh stopped their scheduled six-rounder 59 seconds into the second round, once the 22-year-old Russell floored Almazan a third time.

Russell, a younger brother of WBC world featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr., has now knocked out each of his eight professional opponents. The 20-year-old Almazan (7-9, 2 KOs) lost by knockout for the fifth time since he turned pro four years ago.

The second of Russell’s three knockdowns was the cleanest. He caught Almazan with a right hook on the side of the head to send Almazan to one knee very early in the second round.

Following Russell’s easy victory, Brooklyn super featherweight prospect Chris Colbert clearly out-boxed Josh Hernandez on his way to an eight-round, unanimous-decision win.

Colbert’s hand speed, movement and craft were entirely too much for Chicago’s Hernandez. Judges John McKaie, Kevin Morgan and Waleska Roldan each scored seven of the eight rounds for Colbert (79-73).

The 22-year-old Colbert isn’t a big puncher (10-0, 3 KOs), but he’s smooth, skillful and goes out of his way to be an entertainer. With his hair dyed pink, Colbert played to the crowd and patiently picked apart the game Hernandez (8-2, 7 KOs).

Hernandez, 23, hit Colbert with some flush punches in the first few rounds. Once Colbert settled into a rhythm, though, he comfortably controlled distance, landed a variety of punches and easily remained unbeaten.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.