Gary Russell Jr.: record, next fight and profile →
Gary Russell Jr. has been of the most tantalizing prospects since he represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games, but he's been moved as a pro at glacial pace. Russell said he's "not at all" bothered by the constant criticism, and he feels Al Haymon's plan played out perfectly.
June 21 will bring a highly rare occasion — a Top Rank fighter on a card put on by Golden Boy Promotions. On that day, Vasyl Lomachenko will face Gary Russell Jr. for a vacant featherweight world title on a tripleheader broadcast by Showtime from the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Russell is one of numerous boxers who is advised by Al Haymon and who has been fighting on Golden Boy shows. He is 24-0 with 14 knockouts.
For years, boxing’s version of the Cold War – the ongoing rivalry between Top Rank and fighters with Golden Boy Promotions, adviser Al Haymon or both – have crippled progress and denied many boxers the opportunity to run the full gamut of taking on all comers. A purse bid won by Golden Boy Promotions to promote the June 21 featherweight title fight between Gary Russell and Vasyl Lomachenko is viewed as a potential starting point towards a reversal of that ugly trend.
We are asked by Golden Boy Promotions to resolve a dispute which has arisen between the parties— that is to say Golden Boy and Top Rank— with respect to the boxing match between Gary Russell, Jr. and Vasyl Lomachenko on June 21, 2014 for the vacant WBO Featherweight Championship of the World. Specifically, we must determine what the appropriate purse split should be for this fight, pursuant to Section 13 of the WBO Regulations for World Championship Contests.
Gary Russell Jr. (24-0, 14KOs) is preparing his first world title opportunity, a bout against two-time Olympic gold medalist Vasyl Lomachenko (1-1, 1KO) for the vacant World Boxing Organization featherweight title on June 21 at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. It's a leap in competition for Russell, as it is for Lomanchenko, but Russell believes fans and critics alike will be quite surprised by the result of the bout.
The WBO's purse split for Gary Russell vs. Vasyl Lomachenko will have to be examined, according to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer. Last week, Golden Boy won the promotional rights with a bid of $1,052,250, barely beating out Top Rank's offer of $1,050,000. Golden Boy is planning to stage the fight on June 21 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Last Friday, a purse bid was held to define a hosting party for an intriguing match-up between two former Olympians: local American standout Gary Russell Jr. (24-0, 14 KOs) and Ukrainian superstar Vasyl Lomachenko (1-1, 1 KO). Golden Boy, promoter of Mr. Russell, won the bid with a narrow amount, outbidding Top Rank by just $2,500. Which means the fight for a vacant WBO featherweight title (which was previously contested by Lomachenko and lost by him to Orlando Salido on a split decision) will most probably be held in Los Angeles, California on June 21.
Bill "Two Scoops" Emes catches up with undefeated featherweight contender Gary Russell Jr. to discuss his upcoming mandatory showdown with two-time Olympic gold medal winner Vasyl Lomachenko for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) championship, scheduled for June 21 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
According to the World Boxing Organization, Golden Boy Promotions beat Top Rank in today's purse bid, earning the right to promote the fight between Gary Russell and Vasyl Lomachenko for the vacant WBO featherweight championship. Golden Boy bid $1,052,500, while Top Rank bid $1,050,000. The WBO was told fight will be held on June 21 in Los Angeles.
The World Boxing Organization has ordered Gary Russell Jr. (24-0, 14 KOs), the WBO's mandatory challenger, and number 5 ranked Vasyl Lomachenko (1-1) to fight each other for the vacant WBO featherweight title. The two sides have 30 days to reach an agreement before the match heads to a purse bid.