LAKELAND, Florida – Gary Antuanne Russell isn’t wasting his time with voluntary defenses. Instead, he’s heading straight into a junior-welterweight unification.
Russell picked up the WBA 140lb title with a dominant win over then-titleholder Jose Valenzuela back in March. It was a standout win for Russell, who picked up his first belt after missing out on the WBC interim strap in a loss to Alberto Puello in his previous contest. Most titlists have a few easy touches after first winning their belt and before moving on to a big fight. That’s not the case for Russell, who revealed he is already in negotiations with a fellow titleholder to unify the division.
“We're in negotiations right now, as a matter of fact, so y'all just gotta stay tuned,” Russell told BoxingScene. “I'm looking to unify, so there’s only so many people with titles out there. Don't run, just stay tuned, like I said. Just stay tuned.”
With WBC belt holder Subriel Matias mandated to face Dalton Smith and WBO titlist Teofimo Lopez Jnr eyeing a contest against Shakur Stevenson or a move up to welterweight, that leaves the most likely suspect for Russell’s targeted next opponent as IBF titleholder Richardson Hitchins.
“It's possible, it's possible,” said Russell when asked if Hitchins is the man. “He's been talking a little bit of trash, he's been shit-talking a little bit, so I want to put that to the test. Bring that my way. I would want it to happen before the end of the year. … Why not? Let's close the year out with getting another title.”
Hitchins impressed in his most recent outing, stopping former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jnr inside eight rounds back in May. Since then, Hitchins has been in and around US shows, talking up a fight with seemingly anyone he can get his hands on, including Devin Haney and Lopez.
“There's really no dramatic change. He got more belief in himself; as far as skill set, there's no change, and I don't think that he possesses what I possess,” said Russell of Hitchin's recent rise. “I’m looking to clean up, I’m looking at becoming undisputed. I ain’t entertaining anyone in another division. I want unifications. There’s three champions out there: Richardson Hitchins, Subriel Matias and Teofimo [Lopez]. Let’s make boxing exciting again.”
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Tom Ivers is an amateur boxer who has a masters degree in sports journalism. He had his first bout in 2013, joined BoxingScene in 2024 and is now a key part of the UK and social media teams.
