Editorials

What’s Next for Gary Russell Jr.?

After a statement victory over Jhonny Gonzalez, Alex McLeish explores what’s next for Gary Russell Jr.

What the Fans Want: Abner Mares

Mares - Reyes Harry How Getty Images

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.

 

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.

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