Photo by Maddie Meyer
Newly crowned WBC Featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. (26-1-0, 15 KOs) has endured his share of criticism since turning pro in 2009.
Rightfully so, boxing followers expected more from him considering his solid amateur background, undisguisable talent, and high ceiling for potential.
Russell stood toe to toe with tomato cans and TBA’s for the first 24 fights of his career until he fought Vasyl Lomachenko back in June 2014 for the vacant WBO belt.
Lomachenko disposed of Russell in impressive and indisputable fashion, beating him in a decision that wasn’t as close as the judge’s scorecards implicated.
The situation left Russell to be questioned by fans and writers of the sport alike, wondering if he’d ever put his lightning fast hands and slick defensive style to proper use.
Russell proved the naysayers wrong on Saturday night, March 28, when he dominated Jhonny Gonzalez for three and a half rounds before eventually stopping him in the fourth, taking Gonzalez’ title.
It was a statement win for Russell. He now holds his first world title, and has Al Haymon standing behind him providing him with the opportunity to be exposed to millions of new boxing viewers via Premier Boxing Champions, which airs on major network television.
So let’s take a look at the future for Gary Russell Jr., and who he just might be making his first title defense against.
http://www.wedgies.com/question/5518a5dff2bdb00a00002c8b
The Mandatory: Robinson Castellanos
Photo by MexSport
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed to BoxingScene.com that Robinson Castellanos (21-10-0, 13 KOs) would indeed be the mandatory challenger for the winner of Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Gary Russell Jr.
The WBC set all mandatories at their annual convention back in December 2014, including for the winner of Castellanos vs. Rocky Juarez to be the mandatory for the winner of Gonzalez vs. Russell Jr.
They also declared the next challenger to be the winner of Marvin Sonsona vs. Jayson Velez, a fight that has yet to be made.
Castellanos earned his right at the title shot when he defeated Juarez by unanimous decision on January 26, 2015.
There are political barriers between Russell and Castellanos, considering Russell is signed on with Al Haymon and Castellanos is with Golden Boy Promotions.
But one would assume that Haymon would be content with the fight going to a purse bid, since Haymon would likely win the bid.
He’d also be happy with Castellanos as an opponent, considering he’s a very beatable foe for Russell’s first title defense.
On the other hand, we have seen Haymon work his magic before, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see him score an optional first-defense for Russell.
If so, some possible opponents would be Marvin Sonsona, or even Jesus Cuellar, who are both coming off wins and are part of the Haymon stable.
What the Fans Want: Abner Mares
Gary Russell Jr. is currently holding the WBC title that Abner Mares lost to Jhonny Gonzalez back in August 2103, and Mares hasn’t been shy to express his desire to fight Russell in order to get it back.
Russell has been saying he wants to fight me I’m ready!! ..lets do it .. Btw styles make fights #teammares
— ABNER MARES (@abnermares) March 29, 2015
Mares has won world titles in three different weight divisions, and is currently ranked as the No. 2 contender to the WBC belt just behind Robinson Castellanos.
He’s won three straight fights against mediocre competition since losing his belt to Gonzalez, and is ready to step it back up and take a big fight.
A fight with Russell would help Mares’ reputation with the fans, who once loved him, but who have somewhat turned on him for playing it safe recently.
Russell vs. Mares would have all the ingredients to bring back that fan-friendly style that Mares is accustom to providing, and a win for Russell would surely bury any doubt that he’s a top-tier Featherweight.
Both fighters are signed with Al Haymon, so there’s no politics standing in the way, and it would without a doubt be a big enough fight to headline a PBC card.
Russell was asked who he would like to fight next in his post-fight interview on Saturday night, but he gave the typical answer, saying he would leave it up to Haymon and his team.
He hasn’t been afraid to take on all comers however, he proved that with fights against Lomachenko and Gonzalez, so it’s not out of the question that Russell would be more than happy to fight Mares.
The Future: Leo Santa Cruz, Lomachenko Rematch
For years boxing fans have been drooling over a fight between Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares, and with Cruz moving up from Super Bantamweight to Featherweight, it’s more likely to happen now than ever before.
The question is, since Mares has looked anything but inspiring lately, and after Russell’s domination of Gonzalez, is Gary Russell Jr. vs. Santa Cruz the more enticing fight?
Stylistically it’s very desirable, both guys have fast hands, and with Santa Cruz’s ability to provide a huge punch output, it’s a fight that has “thrilling” written all over it.
Santa Cruz has been the WBC Super Bantamweight champion since 2013 and it would make sense for him to move up to Featherweight and want to win the same belt there.
In an interview with BoxingScene.com in late 2014 Russell spoke about his first pro loss to Lomachenko.
[otw_shortcode_quote border=”bordered” border_style=”bordered”]“I will never get over the loss to Lomachenko. Even if we fight again and I beat him, I will never forget that first loss… I expect 2015 will be a very big year for me. I want to fight for another world title, win it, and then immediately challenge Lomachenko to a unification fight. I believe if we fight again I will win. In fact I feel if we fought 100 times, I would beat him in 99 of them.”[/otw_shortcode_quote]
Although a rematch/unification bout between Lomachenko and Russell does seem sexy right now, it’s hard to say if it will happen considering Russell is signed to Haymon and Lomachenko fights for Top Rank.
The first fight went to a purse bid because it was a mandatory for a vacant title, but in order for it to happen again, both promotional sides would have to be willing to work together.
Who would you like to see Gary Russell Jr. fight next? Please feel free to discuss in our comment section provided below.
