Gary Russell Jr.: record, next fight and profile →
US Olympians collide. Gary Russell never actually made it into the Olympic ring in 2008 but he made and traveled with the team. Diaz advanced one round before a tough loss in 2012. Both men came home with plenty of eyes on them as prospects to watch for the future.
The months of talk are finally over for Joseph "JoJo" Diaz (26-0, 14 KOs). For a long time, Diaz has openly predicted victory over the heavily favored WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. (28-1, 17 KOs). The Showtime televised bout takes place at MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
Gary Russell Jr. was less dismissive of Joseph Diaz Jr. on Thursday than he was three weeks ago. During their first press conference at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Russell made it seem as if Diaz doesn’t belong in the ring with him. Two days before they were set to fight, however, Russell respectfully discussed Diaz’s credibility.
Russell, Diaz Weigh-In Photos Gallery - Adonis Stevenson and Badou Jack both predicted they would win the WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship by knockout as they were joined by all-time great Floyd Mayweather.
Joseph Diaz Jr.’s upper body shook as he flexed his muscles at a weigh-in Friday afternoon. The undefeated southpaw hopes to shake up the featherweight division Saturday night by beating Gary Russell Jr. The taller Diaz thinks his 1½-inch height advantage and an expected weight advantage in the ring will serve him well when they fight for Russell’s WBC 126-pound championship at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Gary Russell Jr. will make just the third defense of his WBC featherweight title in 25 months against unbeaten challenger Joseph Diaz on Saturday night. Win or lose, it might also be Russell's last. Frustrated by a failure to make a unification bout at 126 pounds, Russell said Thursday he'll consider moving up if he beats Diaz.
Undefeated contender Joseph "JoJo" Diaz (26-0, 14 KOs) is very confident that he'll be able to upset the odds on Saturday night, when he challenges WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. (28-1, 17 KOs). The Showtime televised bout takes place at MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
Russell, Diaz Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - 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.
Gary Russell Jr. is confident his fight against Joseph Diaz Jr. will be as easy as his fans’ commute to witness it. Russell will defend his WBC featherweight title against Diaz on May 19 at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. That venue is a short drive from Russell’s hometown of Capitol Heights, Maryland.
By Thomas Gerbasi - The squeaky wheel is the one that gets oiled. Joseph Diaz Jr. is no squeaky wheel. And it may be why that the best featherweight matchup this side of next month’s Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares rematch is flying under the radar. But if anyone isn’t going to get upset by such a reality, it’s the man challe...