
WBC featherweight champion, Gary Russell Jr aims for a vintage 2019
World Boxing Council featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. (29-1.17 KOs), wants to make 2019 classically memorable.
Russell Jr., has not fought since last May, when he overcame an injury with his right hand and defeated the skilled California fighter Joseph Diaz Jr., by unanimous decision at the MGM Grand National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Since that match, Gary Jr., the eldest of the six fighting brothers Russell, has been busy outside the ring.
He and his wife, Sapphire, bought a new home and celebrated the birth of their twins (girl and boy), whom they named Laila and Ali. They now have four girls and two boys.
“My family has grown and I cannot wait to complete this routine and sit down and enjoy life with my family,” said Russell. “My wife and my children have intensified my desire to continue winning in boxing.
“I want to have a lot of fights this year, I want to face Leo Santa Cruz in June or July, I wanted to go directly to face Santa Cruz, but for now I need to find some other quality rival to sharpen me, in March or April. I want to finish this year with a lot of fights. Number one priority is Leo and then I could face the winner of Gervonta Davis and Hugo Ruiz. These ones would be great fights.”
For his part Gary Russell Sr., father and trainer of the champion, commented that the next fight of his son must be against one of the best WBC ranked fighters.
“Gary’s next fight has to be one on the WBC list of champions. We do not want easy fights. We want a great way to prepare for the fight with Leo Santa Cruz,” said Pop.
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