Gary Russel Jr = Next Great

[BattleAxePurist]

i've said this in other threads concerning russell, i'd love to see him fight javier fortuna. both guys are young, talented, and undefeated. fortuna also packs a punch, something that can benefit russell's career, and make it a 10 rounder. a loss to either guy wouldn't be too crucial to their careers either cause they're both young and upcoming. seriously, i can't think of a better matchup.

you do know he's an al haymon investment not to be risked just to appease the boxing fanbase by providing them with meaningful ,worthwhile, proving yourself as you come up type fights right.

[CubanGuyNYC]

you do know he's an al haymon investment not to be risked just to appease the boxing fanbase by providing them with meaningful ,worthwhile, proving yourself as you come up type fights right.

As I replied to "jrosales13" in another thread, I just don't see the point in Russell "proving" himself yet. The kid needs to grow...that is, if he has any real growing left.

[BattleAxePurist]

As I replied to "jrosales13" in another thread, I just don't see the point in Russell "proving" himself yet. The kid needs to grow...that is, if he has any real growing left.

he needs to gain some more experience without stalling his development but that can be tricky at times finding the right type opponents who push enough but not too much

[CubanGuyNYC]

he needs to gain some more experience without stalling his development but that can be tricky at times finding the right type opponents who push enough but not too much

Undoubtedly. It's a fascinating endeavor, IMO, to handle a prospect. I think sometimes we fans lose sight of the fact that boxing is the career of many a young man. There's no room for macho BS, really. One bad night can derail an otherwise promising future.

[Khalid X]

I'm not going to lie, I said the other day that I wasn't been to impressed with him, but I have to take that back. He will be great if he works hard and continues to improve.

With that said boxing is in great shape as there are a ton of great young fighters and amateurs. I really see this new generation taking it to a new level as more of them are coming along quicker and are more well rounded than I have ever seen since following prospects/amatuers.

[Khalid X]

As I replied to "jrosales13" in another thread, I just don't see the point in Russell "proving" himself yet. The kid needs to grow...that is, if he has any real growing left.

I agree.

I really can't say this without sounding like a homer, but I really wish alot more of these young fighters had Bruce Trampler guiding their careers. I mean the proof is in the pudding when looking at his track record because he brought the following fighters along beautifully:

Erik Morales
Oscar De La Hoya
Johnny Tapia
Floyd Mayweather
Manny Pacquiao (from ledwaba to current)
Miguel Cotto

just to name a few.....


Each one of those guys became champs at young ages, developed huge buzzes and got the right fights to make them popular and at the same time become among the sports elite.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I agree.

I really can't say this without sounding like a homer, but I really wish alot more of these young fighters had Bruce Trampler guiding their careers. I mean the proof is in the pudding when looking at his track record because he brought the following fighters along beautifully:

Erik Morales
Oscar De La Hoya
Johnny Tapia
Floyd Mayweather
Manny Pacquiao (from ledwaba to current)
Miguel Cotto

just to name a few.....


Each one of those guys became champs at young ages, developed huge buzzes and got the right fights to make them popular and at the same time become among the sports elite.

Reading your post, one thought kept going through my head: I'd like to see virtually any fighter -- Russell or anyone else -- become a huge star in boxing. The more, the better. The sport needs it. I'm not crazy about Mayweather as a boxing poster-boy, for instance, but it's better than having no one at all.