Gary Russell Jr.: record, next fight and profile →
Leo Santa Cruz’s rematch with Abner Mares isn’t the only one on the featherweight champion’s mind. Santa Cruz obviously isn’t overlooking Mares, his opponent June 9 in Los Angeles. But if Santa Cruz can overcome Mares again in their second 126-pound title fight at Staples Center, he hopes that win leads toward a second shot at Gary Russell Jr.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS - 5/19 SHOWTIME - ADONIS STEVENSON D 12 BADOU JACK -- GARY RUSSELL W 12 JO JO DIAZ - WBC Light Heavyweight world champion Adonis Stevenson and former two-division world champion Badou Jack fought to a highly competitive majority draw Saturday at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. At MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and in the opening bout on SHOWTIME, Gary Russell Jr. (29-1, 17 KOs) defeated Joseph "JoJo" Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs).
WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr.is looking for more gold after Saturday's win over mandatory challenger Joseph Diaz in their twelve round battle at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
At MGM National Harbor in Maryland, Gary Russell Jr. (29-1, 17 KOs) defeated mandatory challenger Joseph "JoJo" Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs). Russell won his fight via unanimous decision, 115-113 and 117-111 twice, to retain his WBC featherweight world title.
A matter of quantity over accuracy in a pulsating title fight, for while the final numbers were close in terms of connects (199-192 overall), Gary Russell's output trumped Joseph Diaz's accuracy as Russell threw a personal best 992 total punches (with the previous high being 845 vs. Christopher Martin) as well as a personal best in terms of throwing the most jabs (587 jabs, superseding his previous high of 510 vs. Gusev).
Gary Russell, Joseph Diaz Fight Photos Gallery - In the main event from MGM National Harbor in Maryland, it was a tactical and hard fought battle of two former U.S. Olympians as Russell Jr. (29-1, 17 KOs) defeated Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs).
MGM Grand Harbor, Maryland - In a battle of former United States Olympians, Gary Russell Jr. (29-1, 17 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Joseph Diaz (26-1, 14 KOs) to retain the WBC featherweight world title. The scores were 115-113, 117-111, 117-111.
Russell, Diaz Scorecard BoxingScene Live - WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. and unbeaten top contender Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference two days before they enter the ring May 19 live on SHOWTIME (10:05 p.m. ET/PT) in the main event from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell averaged 32.7 jabs per round, but landed just 15%. Russell opponents landed just 7.8 power shots per round and just 28%. Joseph Diaz, making a huge step up in class, landed 19 of 38 power shots per round in his last 5 fights (50%).
Each of Gary Russell Jr.’s three WBC featherweight title fights have resulted in technical-knockout victories. The confident champion will be disappointed if he doesn’t extend that streak against Joseph Diaz Jr. on Saturday night. Diaz promised to “walk down” Russell during their scheduled 12-round, 126-pound title bout, but Russell feels the undefeated Diaz won’t be able to take his power.