World Boxing Council featherweight champion Gary Russell, Jr., successfully defended his title May 20th on a memorable fight night for his family at the new MGM National Harbor just south of Washington, D.C.
The 28-year-old Russell, Jr. (28-1, 17 KO’s), scored a seventh round TKO victory against Colombian boxer Oscar Escandon (25-3, 17 KO’s).
Gary Russell, Jr., saw his two younger brothers, 24-year-old Gary Antonio Russell and 20-year-old Gary Antuanne Russell, also win their bouts at MGM National Harbor. Promoters say it’s the first time three brothers appeared on the same fight card.
Gary Antuanne, who fought in the junior welterweight class at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was making his professional debut. He knocked his opponent Joshua Ross down three times, before the referee stopped the fight in the first round.
Gary Antuanne says the brothers get energy from each other, and tips and advice from their father, Gary Russell, Sr., who trains his sons.
Gary Russell, Jr., center, celebrates with his father and brothers after successfully defending his WBC featherweight title May 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
The Russell brothers live not far from the MGM National Harbor complex, and what made their victories even sweeter is they occurred on their father’s birthday.
“I’m ecstatic. I’m really happy,” said the eldest Russell. “I got three wins. Three stoppages. It’s my birthday. I’m 15 minutes from home and I can go home and relax.”
His son, Gary Russell, Jr., has fought all across the United States.
He says he didn’t want to fight at home, in front of friends and relatives, until he became a world champion.
Gary Russell, Jr., throws a jab at Oscar Escandon during their WBC featherweight title fight.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
That came two years ago when he stopped Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez with a fourth-round TKO.
Looking ahead, Gary Russell, Jr., says he’d like to unify the world title belts in the featherweight division and avenge his only loss – to Ukraine’s Vasyl Lomachenko in 2014.
Lomachenko retained his WBO super featherweight title last month by beating American Jason Sosa at MGM National Harbor, which opened in December 2016 and has already staged several world championship bouts to boost boxing in the Washington area.
