Comments Thread For: Golden Boy VP Sees Bright Future For Gary Russell Jr.

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Last Saturday night at the StubHub Center in Carson, featherweight contender Gary Russell Jr. (24-1, 14KOs) suffered his first career defeat when he dropped a twelve round majority decision to the ultra-talented Vasyl Lomachenko (2-1, 1KO). They battled for the vacant WBO championship.

Although Russell held the edge in his pro experience, Lomachenko was overall the more seasoned fighter with two Olympic gold medals and an amateur record of 396-1.

Going into the fight, there were question marks regarding Russell's ability to be competitive with a high caliber opponent. Lomachenko's second fight, which took place in March of this year, came against former champion Orlando Salido - who by far eclipsed the fighters on Russell's record.
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[33030]

Dont care what people say about Russell, but this dude hands is on the same level as Sugar Ray Leonard IMO. In terms of hand speed

[bojangles1987]

Hopefully for him the Loma fight will be a learning experience. He looked like a fighter with no idea how to fight a championship fight.

[The Big Dunn]

Got to believe RUssell learns from this. If he could land more than 10-12% of his punches he will be fine.

[-PBP-]

He has talent. He was just unable to adjust. He needs to be matched against stiffer opposition so he can develop as a pro. I think being so protected is actually hurting his development.

[baddog]

Russell has NO POWER.
Never fought anybody, didn't know what to do in there.
Don't forget he LOST to a 1&1 fighter.
Wtf

[SugarAnt05]

Russell has NO POWER.
Never fought anybody, didn't know what to do in there.
Don't forget he LOST to a 1&1 fighter.
Wtf

Loma isnt just some 1-1 fighter. With 497 amateur fights, that almost 42 twelve round fights. This guy had to have seen just about every style. Yea he lost to Salido, but that's only because he fought a guy 20 pounds heavier that headbutted and low blowed his way to a win. I agree that Russell has fought nobodies and TBA's, but there is no shame in losing to a guy like that. This should make him want to step up his competition and he will get better. He's talented, he just need to fight tougher guys.

[Check_hooks]

Not only does he have no power but he has brittle hands

Loma laid out the blueprint on how to beat him and anyone with good footwork can beat him

[Cuban Linx]

He does have a bright future. But it starts with fighting better opponents and fighting more often. You can't improve by going back and fighting guys like Miguel Tomayo once a year.

His team should target mid level guys for now until he works his way back up to a title shot.

Those guys include: Cristian Mijares, Jorge Arce, Rocky Juarez, Vic Darchinyan. Those veteran types who are the mid level but are not bums. That can give him some rounds.

[MrClutch85]

GRJ has a bright future when he fights speedsters with good movement gotta do a better job cutting the ring closing distance