Gary Russell Jr. vs. Patrick Hyland
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
It has been over a year since Gary Russell Jr. has been in the ring. I was in attendance at his last fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas last March when he dominated
against Jhonny Gonzalez, scoring a total of three knockdowns and a fourth-round stoppage. Gary Russell Jr. will be defending his WBC Featherweight title for the first time against Irishman Patrick Hyland, whose only loss came against a southpaw.
Although Russell Jr. has been out of the ring for 13 months, he isn’t anticipating the layoff to be a factor into the outcome against Hyland. “Being out of the ring so long is difficult, but it’s part of the business,” Russell said. “Everything happens for a reason, and I’m just keyed in mentally.
Hyland is coming into Saturday night’s fight with an advantage in height, a solid chin, and reputable power—he’s also a 10-1 underdog. I believe Russell Jr. will come out on top using his mix of speed, power, and exceptional combination punching.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
All though Patrick Hyland is tough and experienced, Gary Russell Jr.’s hand speed and natural ability are light years beyond Hyland’s talent level.
While Hyland carries a decent punch, and is solid in terms of skills; his plodding footwork and slower reflexes are going to make this a tough fight for him. There is a chance for Hyland; he just has to attack the body (if he can) and survive until the later rounds, hoping that he can land some of his bigger punches on Russell Jr.
However, I see this fight ending early and being a successful first defense for Gary Russell, Jr.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
Milo Taibi, Staff Writer
I’m going with Gary Russell Jr. to make quick work of Patrick Hyland in the latest lateral movement of his career. The 2011 Prospect of the Year, Russell Jr. has faced limited opposition in his 27-fight pro career–to put it lightly.
Hyland is a tough customer, but ultimately poses little threat to Russell Jr.’s WBC Featherweight Title. Russell Jr. has named Leo Santa Cruz or Vasyl Lomachenko (who defeated Russell Jr. in 2014) as potential future opponents.
Assuming he absorbs little damage against Hyland, a bout with Cruz or Lomachenko could still take place in 2016.
Prediction:Russell Jr.
Robert Contreras, Staff Writer
Patrick Hyland’s chin is proven. Gary Russell Jr. thrives off of guys who refuse to move their feet like Hyland, but I think the Irishman guts it out and makes it to the end.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
Liam Brady, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
The height advantage of Patrick Hyland may be tricky for Gary Russell Jr. at first, but, as expected, the speed Russell Jr. possesses will allow him to quickly negate his opponent, particularly with his jab and combinations.
Russell Jr. is also being prepped for bigger fights down the line, and while I am not underestimating Hyland, the expected conclusion of this fight is a win for Gary Russell Jr.
Regardless, I see Russell Jr. comprehensively beating Hyland in the first half of the fight. I feel the speed will be overwhelming, and it will be hard to stop Russell Jr. once he starts landing profusely. This will prompt the referee to stop the contest.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
Recently, Gary Russell Jr. has been talking about fighting unification bouts with Lee Selby and Leo Santa Cruz. At least we have something to look forward to, because Russell Jr. vs. Patrick Hyland, at least in my view, is pretty yawn-tastic.
Hyland is a tough Irishman. That’s really all the credentials I see in him. Some will look to say that he gave Javier Fortuna a tough fight back in 2012. Sure, but Fortuna also made it tough on himself, spending more time goofing around than actually putting his talents to use.
Russell Jr. should be able to plow through Hyland like a tornado, slashing him up with uppercuts and some sweet right hooks. Hyland will be game, but Russell Jr. will be dominant.
Expect Russell Jr.’s hand speed to be on full display. Russell Jr. by mid-rounds TKO.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Gary Russell Jr. has been out of the ring for a while, so the memory of his knockout victory over Jhonny Gonzalez has pretty much faded. He needs a stoppage victory against the durable Patrick Hyland to cement his place at or near the top of a pile that includes guys like Lee Selby, Leo Santa Cruz and–*gulp*–Vasyl Lomachenko.
As long as his hands don’t break or some other part of his body doesn’t break down, I think Russell Jr. uses his speed and power to overwhelm Hyland and stop him in the mid-to-late rounds.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
All photos by Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
