Gary Russel Jr wants to Fight Juanma Lopez

[Light_Speed]

Russell would win at this point.

[Hougigo]

He did? When? There must have been a reason. Franco might have been one of those "too unknown" type of fights where risk/reward played into it.

He's not that unknown

[EdMon917]

He's not that unknown

LOL Really? Compared to his fellow featherweights Caballero Garcia Gamboa Salido and Ponce De Leon. He is as known as them and brings in crowds like some of them? And if we're talking about Lopez skipping out on Franco to fight Salido you saying Franco would hold weight in a decision like that? I don't think so man.

[SonOfCuba]

that would be a great fight.

[JohnnyRebel]

LOL Really? Compared to his fellow featherweights Caballero Garcia Gamboa Salido and Ponce De Leon. He is as known as them and brings in crowds like some of them? And if we're talking about Lopez skipping out on Franco to fight Salido you saying Franco would hold weight in a decision like that? I don't think so man.

They are saying Russell Jr. ducked this Franco guy. I've never heard of Franco also but I don't watch up and comers that much anymore... I like to only keep track of skilled up and coming fighters. Russell Jr. has all the skills to be elite... I just want to see him tested to see if he has the heart and determination to win at the elite level and not be a Zab Judah.

[EdMon917]

They are saying Russell Jr. ducked this Franco guy. I've never heard of Franco also but I don't watch up and comers that much anymore... I like to only keep track of skilled up and coming fighters. Russell Jr. has all the skills to be elite... I just want to see him tested to see if he has the heart and determination to win at the elite level and not be a Zab Judah.

Oh wow! My mistake. I thought they were saying Lopez ducked Franco. That's why I said the risk/reward thing played into them overlooking him. I assume Franco is good as well. Featherweight has some serious prospects.
I don't think Russell will go down the Judah path. He is a very mature fighter for his age. The more he learns and experiences the better and more confident he'll get. That's when we will see how great he really is.

[Mike Haynes]

This would be David Reid vs Tito Trinidad, if David Reid didn't have that eyelid problem.....Russell Jr. KO 6.

[#1Assassin]

too big a step up for russell imo. hes so superior to lopez as a fighter he would most likely dominate him and win easily regardless, but if he wouldnt lopez isnt the type of guy u want to fight the first time you go down the stretch in a competetive fight. you dont want to take your first swim in deep waters in juanma territory.

but again, russell could probably outbox him easily and hurt him quite easily to both the body and head. should knock juanma out in the middle rounds but if he doesnt juanma could take alot off his career, that would be unnecessary considering what a phenomenal prospect russell is. let russell build up his competition instead of taking this leap and he will spark lopez out for sure in a year or two.

[Heru]

I speculate that the reason Gary Russell didn't take the fight against Franco is because Shaw won the purse bid and would've taken place on a Gary Shaw card. GBP doesn't want that for one of their fighters, let alone their top prospect.

It doesn't matter though... Franco would've been worked over worse than he had been against Leonilo Miranda.

Russell-Lopez would be a solid fight... Russell dominates him, making it target practice in the first half of the fight, but I'd be interested to see how Russell handles Lopez' pressure after 8 rounds. I doubt he crumbles under it because he seems to have great stamina and is well conditioned mentally, but you never know.

This is the time to make that fight (while GR Jr. is still inexperienced) because as soon as he finds out that he can go 12, Lopez won't have a prayer.

[PACnPBFsuck]

JuanMa...No Head Movement or Defense


EASY WORK FOR RUSSELL JR IMO!