US southpaw Gary Russell stopped Colombian Oscar Escandon 59 seconds into the seventh round Saturday to retain his World Boxing Council featherweight crown. After an undercard bout that had American police searching for the winner's uncle following a post-fight attack, Russell dominated a South American rival in his first world title contest. Russell improved to 28-1 with his 17th victory inside the distance while Escandon fell to 25-3. Russell landed a powerful right hook early in the third round that forced Escandon to touch his hands to the canvas for balance, suffering only the second knockdown of his career.