By Mark Vester
Amateur standout Gary Russell Jr. has signed a managerial contract with Al Haymon, a one-man powerhouse in the sport. Haymon helps guide the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Vernon Forrest, Andre Berto, Chris Arreola, Paul Williams, Daniel Jacobs and many others.
Most may remember Russell as the member of the 2008 Olympic team who collapsed in his hotel room after a grueling struggle to get down to 119-pounds. He was found unconscious by a team member and rushed to a hospital. He was highly regarded and one of the favorites to win a medal on the team. He never got his chance to compete in the Beijing games after being unable to make it to the weigh-in due to the hotel incident.
He will make his debut on January 17 at the featherweight limit of 126-pounds. He was winning most of his amateur competitions during the last few years at the weight of 125. Russell, 20, is ready to make his mark in the pro ranks.
"It's been a completely different kind of training as far as the punch output," Russell said to the Washington Post. "As an amateur you are trying to throw a whole lot of punches because everything is based on a punch count. Now we're more conservative with the punches we're throwing. I always thought I would be a better pro than amateur anyway."
