by Sam Rosenberg | Tue. June 22, 2010

Thursday’s FOX Sports boxing card from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California is one boxing fans don’t want to miss. These overlooked cards oftentimes promise a look into the future of the sport, but as even the hardcore fans know, it can take hundreds of hours of watching before a true star is spotted. Make no mistake though; this Thursday’s (tape delayed to Friday in most areas) FOX Sports card is sure to show a glimpse of an undeniable top-level talent in the featherweight division.  

It’s not very often that a truly special prospect can lure the eyes of boxing fans with that “glow” in the ring.  The glow that causes the mouth to drop open, and the brain to become mesmerized by the level of skill and talent it is witnessing. This only happens with the best of the best. Of course eyes can be deceiving, but to this boxing writer Gary Russell Jr. (nicknamed “Mr.”) seems to have it all.

Russell has a fully stacked resume. So why haven’t many boxing fans heard of him? It may be due to him pulling out of the Olympics, or perhaps even because he lost in his first bid at the qualifying trials. In any case, this two-time National Champion has already overcome these setbacks, and should be admired accordingly.  

At the Olympic trials in 2007 Russell lost to fellow countryman Roberto Marroquin, his first such defeat in 8 years. It was a fight that many ringside observers actually had him winning. Russell then came back to decisively beat Marroquin two times, and displayed breath-taking skill level and versatility. With this feat Russell joined the likes of Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather Jr., as champions who have rebounded from a first round loss to win their weight class. These aren’t shabby names to be in the company of.  

Russell looked to be walking his destined path until his dream ended prematurely. He was found unconscious and severely dehydrated the morning of pre-Olympic weigh-ins. His team said that it was actually no surprise, seeing as he was not sweating during workouts and was coming in to fights at 125 pounds consistently - six pounds over the weigh-in limit just a day before.

Russell’s pro debut was televised on Shobox Jan. 19, 2009.  He continued the trend of undefeated U.S. Olympians winning their pro debut by beating the very game Antonio Reyes into submission at the start of round 3. Many referees would have stopped the fight at the end of round 2 when Russell simultaneously slipped a left and landed a huge right hand to drop Reyes, but Steve Smoger is known for letting them go a bit further than most, and allowed Reyes to go back to his corner.

Russell unleashed a fury of punches to start round 3 and Smoger readily waved off the fight. Announcer Steve Farhood put it best when he said, “I think Russell took out his anger from the Japan Olympics on Reyes.”

Past his TV debut, Russell has not been televised again. He has however, been gaining experience and showing true star potential in the meantime.  

At the Hinckley Casino in Minnesota in December, he went 3 rounds with the capable Rodrigo Romero before taking him out. He fought defensively and off the back foot, countering with lead right hooks that couldn’t miss. In round 2 Romero nearly stopped throwing in fear of being countered, so Russell started to stand in the pocket and pick off Romero with body shots. One of these was a perfectly placed kidney shot that dropped Romero near the end of the round. Romero would make it out of the round, but only to be stopped in round 3. Russell went on the offensive; dancing and using angles to pick off Romero, forcing a corner stoppage before too much punishment was inflicted by the much more superior fighter. His performance left the small audience in shock, you could have heard a pin drop aside from the “ooo’s” and “aahs” during the fight.

At the Wolstein Center in Cleveland in February, Russell showed his capability to take out below average competition at any time with ease.  He came out picking and choosing his shots, loading up on many of them after his opponent’s body language showed he was not capable of giving Russell much of a test.  

After scoring a sensational knockdown with an uppercut, Russell’s uncle yelled from ringside, “Take him out Gary - triple up that hook!”  Russell smiled and did just that, once again leaving the small audience in awe.

Thursday tune in to the FOX Sports card from Club Nokia and see for yourself the special fighter named Gary Russel Jr. If you do, the next time you refer to him you are sure to call him Mr. Gary Russel Jr.