SPEED DEMON
Rapid-fisted Gary Russell Jnr retains his world crown against Joseph Diaz
COMPARING WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jnr to Santa Claus is a stretch, but they are similar in that each shows up only once a year and brings a gift that pleases. For Russell his was another superb performance in front of his home fans at the MGM National Harbor (TGB Promotions). But it makes you wonder if he is wasting his enormous talent by being complacent outside of the ring. For since losing a highly competitive decision to Vasyl Lomachenko in 2014, the Capitol Heights, Maryland resident has barely been seen.for a man who craves matchups with the likes of Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton, among others, Russell’s inactivity has not furthered his cause. And if Joseph Diaz had not been his mandatory challenger, it is questionable whether Russell would have been in the ring with him or anyone else. But he was, and looked impressive in the process, winning a unanimous 12-round verdict on the scorecards of judges Dave Moretti and Nathan Palmer (both 117-111), and Dave Braslow (115113). Kenny Chevalier refereed.
The consensus was that Braslow’s scorecard was a bit close, but I found it acceptable, as did Showtime analyst Paulie Malignaggi. Diaz fought a very good fight, but could not quite match Russell’s work rate. They landed a similar amount of punches throughout, but it was Russell who threw so many more.
This is a result that will look even better on Russell’s record as we go forward, because Downey, California’s Diaz, 25, led into the ring by his promoter Oscar De La Hoya, is an outstanding fighter who will perform at the top level for years to come.
After following his fellow southpaw around the ring in the first round, Diaz came alive in the second and was able to reach the champion’s body. And at least to this observer there was little to choose between them at the midway point, before Russell started to pull away in the seventh.
Diaz’s plan had been to gradually break Russell down, but the opposite was occurring. Russell was putting on a jabbing clinic with lightning-fast combinations to head and body. Russell’s hand speed is arguably the best in boxing, much to Diaz’s frustration, as he was met with a quick fusillade of blows over and under every time he had cut off the ring. Diaz was so intent on landing power punches that he neglected to use his own jab consistently, which had been effective when he threw it.
This was as fast-a-paced contest as you could get. By the last round Russell was fighting through his fatigue. He was caught along the ropes, held tightly and glanced at the overhead clock. There would be no coasting to the finish. Russell would later claim he hurt his right hand early in the bout.
Addressing his inactivity, Russell, 29, said: “I would love to fight two or three times a year as long as my body is healthy. We’ve been trying to get a fight with Santa Cruz for the past year.”
For the Russells, boxing is a family affair. The champ’s two younger brothers are also trained by their dad, Gary Snr. Both won in impressive fashion on the undercard.
Gary Antuanne Russell, 21 and a 2016 US Olympian, got his sixth stoppage in as many outings, halting the Dominican Republic’s Wilmer Rodriguez at 2-54 of the opening frame of a scheduled eight. Rodriguez was down twice before the mismatch was called off by referee Braslow.
Gary Antonio Russell, 25, took a bit longer to win but still dominated all the way before Mexican veteran Jonathan Lecona was saved by referee Bill Clancy, who pulled him out after 16 seconds of the fifth round of a six. Lecona had been down three times.
Baranquilla, Colombia’s Juan De Angel, who went the distance with Austin Trout last time out, retired at the end of the sixth of a 10 against Richmond, Virginia’s Immanuwel Aleem.
Chula Vista, California’s Christopher Martin, who was outpointed by Russell in 2014, dropped a six-round decision to
Cobia Breedy. All the cards favoured the Barbados fighter by a 60-54 margin. Mr Clancy officiated.
THE VERDICT Fingers crossed we get to see the sublimely talented Russell in action again before 2018 is out.