By Miguel Rivera
World Boxing Council featherweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez (57-8, 48KOs) expects a very tough fight from top contender Gary Russell Jr. (25-1, 14KOs). The champion stated on Friday that a fight with Russell is nearly 90% done. The contest is likely to take place on a date in late March or April. A date of March 28th has been rumored.
Russell suffered his first career defeat last June at the hands of two-time Olympic gold medal winner Vasyl Lomachenko. He returned with a win in December, gaining a unanimous decision over Christopher Martin.
Gonzalez has been promised a three fight spread from Russell's manager Al Haymon, with fights to come against Haymon-managed Abner Mares and Leo Santa Cruz if the champion beats Russell.
"Russell is a tough opponent, and that's what I'm looking for - opponents who are going to give us a real battle in the ring and test us. The preparation that I'm doing is very different from what I did in the past and I'm very happy. I want to have a lot of activity this year. There are some good names on the list [Haymon presented to my promoter Osvoldo Kuchle]. I want to fight everyone and come out with the upper hand," Gonzalez said to ESPN Deportes.
