Gary Russell Jr.: record, next fight and profile →
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey – Gary Russell Jr. still hasn’t given up on the meaningful featherweight fight that has eluded him for several years. When Showtime’s Brian Custer asked Russell on Thursday in a broader sense about not getting the fights he wants, Russell took the opportunity to call out Leo Santa Cruz.
Russell, Magsayo Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. and unbeaten top challenger Mark Magsayo went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they meet in the SHOWTIME main event this Saturday, January 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J. (photos by Amanda Westcott)
By Cliff Rold - The inactivity of WBC featherweight titlist Gary Russell (31-1, 18 KO) since winning his belt with a four round thrashing of Jhonny Gonzalez in 2015 has never obscured the reality of what happens when the bell rings.
Add an injury issue to Gary Russell Jr.’s list of concerns entering his fight against Mark Magsayo. The long-reigning WBC featherweight champion revealed during an appearance Wednesday on “The DAZN Boxing Show” that he is suffering from “a little slight injury” that he declined to disclose. Russell will end almost a two-year layoff on Saturday night and already has dealt with the foot amputation that has prevented his father, who is his longtime trainer, from properly helping him prepare for this fight.
Gary Russell Jr. stated more than once during a virtual press conference Tuesday that he is fully focused on fighting Mark Magsayo on January 22.
By Keith Idec - Leo Santa Cruz can empathize with Gary Russell Jr. like perhaps no other boxer in the sport. Just like his rival, Santa Cruz has been trained by his father throughout his career as an amateur and professional. Santa Cruz felt lost when his dad, Jose, couldn’t train him at times while he battled cancer and later COVID-19.
Mark Magsayo believes the adversity he was forced to overcome in his last fight has made him a better fighter heading into the toughest test of his pro career.
Gary Russell Jr. gave up long ago on rationalizing why the other top featherweights refuse to get in the ring with him. The long-reigning featherweight titlist would like to see someone else run with that baton.
Gary Russell Jr. is content with the self-awareness that he is among the most talented boxers in the world today. The hope is that his latest WBC featherweight title defense versus mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo (23-0, 16KOs) will serve as an industry-wide reminder of what he specifically brings to the ring.
Gary Russell Jr. isn’t seeking sympathy, but the WBC featherweight champion was brutally honest Tuesday about his abnormal training camp for his upcoming title defense against Mark Magsayo.