
Jose Valenzuela: Gary Antuanne Russell doesn’t belong here with me
"Rayo" Valenzuela believes his choice of opposition for his first title defense is a statement in itself.
Gary Antuanne Russell: record, next fight and profile →

"Rayo" Valenzuela believes his choice of opposition for his first title defense is a statement in itself.

For the first time in his career, Gary Antuanne Russell will enter the ring on the back of a loss.

It has been something of a roller-coaster couple of years for Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela.

Despite speculation to the contrary, it looks like the fight between WBA 140lbs champion Jose Valenzuela and Gary Antuanne Russell is staying on March 1.

After an exciting but somewhat restrained start to their partnership, the union between Amazon Prime Video and Premier Boxing Champions is expected to deliver a more robust boxing schedule in 2025, according to former head of Showtime Sports, Stephen Espinoza, now working as a consultant for PBC.

WBA junior welterweight titleholder Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela and top contender Gary Antuanne Russell are close to finalizing a 2025 showdown, multiple sources have confirmed with BoxingScene.

Devin Haney, telling the World Boxing Council he is “physically, mentally and emotionally” unfit to immediately defend his 140-pound belt, has been moved to “champion in recess” and former world champion Alberto Puello will instead fight Spain’s Sandor Martin for the junior-welterweight title.


