Gary Antonio Russell: record, next fight and profile →
Carson, California - Rising contender Gary Antonio Russell (18-0, 12 KOs) and former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-2, 12 KOs) fight to a no-decision just 16 seconds into the first round of their 118-pound matchup, after an accidental headbutt injured Rodriguez and ended the fight.
CARSON, Calif. — The bout between Gary Antonio Russell and Emmanuel Rodriguez abruptly and unceremoniously ended before it ever even began Saturday night when an accidental clash of heads led to a stop of the fight 16 seconds in.
Former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez picked up the vacant bantamweight IBF title in 2018 with a win over Paul Butler and immediately defended the title against Jason Maloney five months later with a split decision win. The Puerto Rican fighter was on the up-and-up until he suddenly got stopped in his tracks.
Russell, Rodriguez, Warren, Vazquez Weights Photos Gallery - Rigondeaux vs. Casimero will see two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux face bantamweight world champion John Riel Casimero for his WBO belt on Saturday, August 14 live on SHOWTIME headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. (photos by Stephanie Trapp)
John Riel Casimero handed Guillermo Rigondeaux his sunglasses Friday afternoon when Rigondeaux requested that Casimero take off his shades as they stood face-to-face.
Russell, Rodriguez Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - Two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they headline action live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, August 14 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. (photos by Stephanie Trapp)
The ordered rematch between Emmanuel “Manny” Rodriguez and the Filipino Reymart Gaballo for the interim title of the World Boxing Council (WBC) at 118 pounds, has encountered pitfalls.
Stylish boxer Jesse Manyo Plange, who was recently voted Best Professional Boxer in Ghana 2020 by boxing journalists, has been tipped to wear a world title belt. With a record of no defeats in 21 victories against one draw, he is seen by many local boxing experts as a star of the future and plans are advanced to get him a world title shot. He currently holds the West African Boxing Union super flyweight title.
Gary Antonio Russell closed out his sixth year as a pro with his most significant win to date, even if it came with an unsatisfying ending. A rugged scrap between Russell and former bantamweight titlist Juan Carlos Payano ended with the unbeaten prospect scoring a technical unanimous decision win Saturday evening at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Not even landing on the wrong end of a disputed decision could deter Juan Carlos Payano from returning to the scene of the crime just three months later. So goes the life of the former bantamweight titlist, who is no longer in a position to pick and choose his ring assignments yet remains all the more willing to accept whatever is offered. With that comes his next adventure, a crossroads showdown versus unbeaten 118-pound prospect Gary Antonio Russell which opens a Showtime-televised tripleheader Saturday evening live from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.