The Russells of Capitol Heights, Maryland will team up again for an exciting night of boxing for their hometown fans. Three of the five boxing brothers, all trained by their father, Gary, Sr., will compete on the same card for the second time in their careers at MGM National Harbor in Maryland on Saturday, May 19.… read full article “Gary Russell Jr. vs. Joseph Diaz undercard”
WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. (28-1, 17 KOs) and unbeaten No. 1 contender Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (26-0, 14 KOs) hosted a press conference and faced off for the first time Tuesday before their championship showdown Saturday, May 19 live on SHOWTIME from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.… read full article “Gary Russell Jr. and Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. quotes for May 19”
Two exciting main events will be presented on the same night, Saturday, May 19 live on SHOWTIME as part of a split-site doubleheader telecast.
Featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. will defend his WBC title against undefeated mandatory challenger Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr.… read full article “Gary Russell Jr. vs. Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz Jr. on 5/19 on Showtime”
By Paul “Paparazzi” Jones and Justin Jones |Photos © Paul “Paparazzi” Jones
OXON HILL, MARYLAND –After two failed attempts, WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr.(28-1, 17KOs) finally got his chance to take on former Interim WBC titlist Óscar Escandón (25-3, 17 KO)on Saturday night at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
And Russell Jr. didn’t disappoint.
From the MGM National Harbor “Mr.” Gary Russell Jr. (28-1, 17 KOs) had a successful homecoming in front of a nearly sold out crowd as he defended his WBC Featherweight World title with a seventh-round stoppage against the very tough, strong-willed Colombian Oscar Escandon (25-3, 17 KOs) in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
(Photo Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME)
By Paul “Paparazzi” Jones | Photo © Paul “Paparazzi” Jones
OXON HILL, MARYLAND–After two false starts, reigning WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. (27-1, 16 KOs) and Interim WBC titlist Óscar Escandón (25-2, 17 KO) are set to reboot their match-up for a third time on Saturday.
Russell and Escandón’s first scheduled fight (November 14, 2015) was scrapped due to a cut Russell suffered during training; Escandón pulled out of their second scheduled fight (March 11, 2017) due to a back injury. However, both fighters were on target at Friday’s weigh-ins at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Gary Russell Jr 125.5 vs. Oscar Escandon 125.75
Andre Dirrell 167.5 vs. Jose Uzcategui 166.5
Rances Barthelemy 139.5 vs. Kiryl Relikh 139.5
Gary Russell Jr will successfully defend his WBC Featherweight title, but Oscar Escandon will not be a walk in the park.
Gary Russell Jr 27-1 (16 KO’s) on hand speed and skill alone will beat Oscar Escandon. Only one fighter in the world is better than Russell Jr, and that is a subject to be tackled later.
GERVONTA DAVIS
Thoughts on going to London to make his first title defense on foreign soil:
“I believe it was the right business move as far as getting me to the UK in my early career and giving the fans what they want to see. I have a lot of UK fans after the [Jose] Pedraza fight so I think it’s a good change. It’s good for me to fight in the UK. I fought overseas when I was an amateur so now I’m going as a pro and I feel like it’s a great opportunity.
WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. retained his title with a remarkable TKO of Irishman Patrick Hyland Saturday on SHOWTIME from Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. In the co-feature, Jose Pedraza defended his IBF Junior Lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Stephen Smith.
(Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME) WBC FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Gary Russell Jr. – 126 Pounds
Patrick Hyland – 126 Pounds
IBF JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP