Boxing Tonight: Gary Antuanne Russell Aims to Capture Interim Title in Tribute to Late Father
Gary Antuanne Russell, the 27-year-old southpaw boxer, is set to face undefeated former WBA junior welterweight champion Alberto Puello for the interim WBC junior welterweight title on June 15. The bout will serve as the co-main event on the Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin pay-per-view card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Russell (17-0, 17 KOs), who is now trained by his older brother and former featherweight titleholder Gary Russell Jr., has a poignant goal in mind for this fight. He aims to honor the memory of his late father and coach, Gary Russell Sr., who passed away on May 23, 2022, due to complications from Type 2 diabetes. “I know my dad would tell me to hit and not get hit, keep your hands high, don’t relax,” Russell said. “Right now, he’s here in spirit, and I will spontaneously hear certain things that he’d say to me. I want to honor his name and make sure that all he worked for does not go in vain.”
During his rise through the ranks, Russell has stopped veteran former titlists such as Viktor Postol and Rances Barthelemy. However, he has only fought twice since his father’s passing. “I love the bright lights. It’s part of my life. It’s really second nature. This is my world now. At this point, I just want to excel,” he expressed.
The interim title fight carries significant implications, as the winner will be in line to challenge for the WBC junior welterweight championship. Devin Haney currently holds the WBC title, but with Sandor Martin ordered to face him next, the victor between Russell and Puello (22-0, 10 KOs) will be positioned for a future fight with the WBC champion. “I want to bring boxing back to its natural state,” Russell stated. “I want to climb the ladder and fight who I’m supposed to. I want to fight the guys with great credentials.”
Puello, a 29-year-old fighter, lost his WBA junior welterweight title due to a drug-test failure for Clomiphene. He returned to the ring in December 2022, winning a unanimous decision over Ector Madera after a 16-month hiatus. “My focus is so locked in right now. It’s hard for me to say he’s got a chance, not to be disrespectful,” Russell remarked. “My father always said there are three types of fighters: those who need it, those who want it, and those who like it. And they all bring a different level of hunger. I’m all three of them, but instead of liking it, I love it.”
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