Gary Allen Russell Jr
“Mr.”RECORD
31 - 2 - 0
KOs
18
A star in the ring by the time he was a teenager, sensational southpaw Gary Russell Jr. has continued to shine as the WBC Super Featherweight World Champion, becoming the longest reigning champion during his tenure. Read Bio
Last Fight
Loss vs Mark Magsayo
Jan 22, 2022 / Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Gary Russell Jr LOSES to Mark Magsayo by MD in Round 12 of 12
Videos
Latest News
Gary Russell Jr News
Jan 23, 2022 /
Russell vs Magsayo, Gary Russell Jr, Subriel Matias, Tugstsogt Nyambayar
Mark Magsayo Pulls Off Shocker, Dethrones Gary Russell Jr.
The hard-hitting, rising Filipino star ends Russell's long reign to become the new WBC Featherweight World Champion Saturday night on PBC on SHOWTIME.
Jan 19, 2022 /
Russell vs Magsayo, Gary Russell Jr
Gary Russell Jr. Looks To Employ His Sage Wisdom Once Again
Boxing's longest reigning world champ says he's older, wiser and better than ever ahead of his 126-pound showdown versus hard-hitting Mark Magsayo Saturday night on PBC on SHOWTIME.
Jan 12, 2022 /
The PBC Podcast, Gary Russell Jr
The PBC Podcast: Gary Russell Jr. & Carlos Castro
Russell maps out a big year, beginning with his title defense against Mark Magsayo January 22 on SHOWTIME while Castro aims to make a statement against Luis Nery Saturday, February 5th on FOX Sports pay-per-view.
Fights
Gary Russell Jr Fights
Loss vs Mark Magsayo 26-2-0
Jan 22, 2022 • Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Gary Russell Jr. LOSES to Mark Magsayo by MD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Tugstsogt Nyambayar 12-2-1
Feb 08, 2020 • PPL Center, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Gary Russell Jr. WINS against Tugstsogt Nyambayar by UD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Kiko Martinez 44-12-2
May 18, 2019 • Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Gary Russell WINS against Kiko Martinez by TKO in Round 5 of 12
Win vs Joseph Diaz Jr. 33-7-1
May 19, 2018 • MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland
Gary Russell Jr. WINS against Joseph Diaz Jr. by UD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Oscar Escandon 27-8-0
May 20, 2017 • MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland
Gary Russell Jr. WINS against Oscar Escandon by TKO in Round 7 of 12
Win vs Oscar Escandon 27-8-0
May 20, 2017 • MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Oscar Escandon by TKO in Round 7 of 12
Win vs Patrick Hyland 31-3-0
Apr 16, 2016 • Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Patrick Hyland by TKO in Round 2 of 12
Win vs Christopher Martin 28-4-3
Dec 20, 2014 • Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Christopher Martin by UD in Round 10 of 10
Win vs Gary Allen Russell Jr 1-1-0
Jun 21, 2014 • StubHub Center, Carson, California, USA
Vasyl Lomachenko WINS against Gary Allen Russell Jr by MD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Miguel Tamayo 15-8-2
Jan 30, 2014 • Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Miguel Tamayo by KO in Round 4 of 8
Win vs Juan Ruiz 23-12-0
Aug 09, 2013 • Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Juan Ruiz by UD in Round 10 of 10
Win vs Vyacheslav Gusev 20-2-0
Mar 02, 2013 • Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, The Joint, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Vyacheslav Gusev by UD in Round 10 of 10
Win vs Roberto Castaneda 20-2-1
Nov 09, 2012 • Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Roberto Castaneda by KO in Round 3 of 10
Win vs Christopher Perez 23-2-0
Jun 30, 2012 • Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Christopher Perez by TKO in Round 3 of 10
Win vs Heriberto Ruiz 46-11-2
Nov 26, 2011 • U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Heriberto Ruiz by KO in Round 1 of 10
Win vs Leonilo Miranda 32-3-0
Sep 03, 2011 • Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Leonilo Miranda by UD in Round 8 of 8
Win vs Eric Estrada 9-1-0
Jul 23, 2011 • Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Eric Estrada by UD in Round 8 of 8
Win vs Antonio Meza 24-9-1
Jun 17, 2011 • State Farm Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Antonio Meza by KO in Round 4 of 8
Win vs Adolfo Landeros 21-18-1
Apr 15, 2011 • Longshoremen's Hall, San Francisco, California, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Adolfo Landeros by UD in Round 6 of 6
Win vs Feider Viloria 23-7-1
Jan 28, 2011 • Four Points Sheraton Hotel, San Diego, California, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Feider Viloria by TD in Round 7 of 8
Win vs Guadalupe De Leon 8-11-0
Oct 28, 2010 • Club Nokia, Los Angeles, California, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Guadalupe De Leon by UD in Round 6 of 6
Win vs Willie Villanueva 9-2-0
Sep 25, 2010 • Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Willie Villanueva by KO in Round 1 of 6
Win vs Mauricio Pastrana 35-14-2
Jul 22, 2010 • Club Nokia, Los Angeles, California, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Mauricio Pastrana by TKO in Round 1 of 6
Win vs Rodrigo Aranda 8-12-2
Jun 24, 2010 • Club Nokia, Los Angeles, California, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Rodrigo Aranda by KO in Round 2 of 6
Win vs Carlos Diaz 10-22-4
Apr 16, 2010 • Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Carlos Diaz by KO in Round 1 of 6
Win vs Jairo Delgado 3-4-0
Feb 19, 2010 • Wolstein Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Jairo Delgado by KO in Round 1 of 6
Win vs David Orosco Cano 1-6-0
Jan 30, 2010 • Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against David Orosco Cano by TKO in Round 1 of 4
Win vs Rodrigo Romero 1-2-0
Dec 18, 2009 • Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Rodrigo Romero by TKO in Round 3 of 4
Win vs Noe Lopez 4-3-0
Oct 23, 2009 • Laredo Entertainment Center, Laredo, Texas, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Noe Lopez by UD in Round 4 of 4
Win vs Noe Lopez Jr 4-3-0
Oct 23, 2009 • Laredo Entertainment Center, Laredo, Texas, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Noe Lopez Jr by UD in Round 4 of 4
Win vs Jason Jones 2-2-0
Aug 07, 2009 • Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Jason Jones by TKO in Round 1 of 4
Win vs Alvaro Muro 6-15-0
May 01, 2009 • Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Alvaro Muro by UD in Round 4 of 4
Win vs John Wampash 1-0-1
Feb 14, 2009 • BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against John Wampash by UD in Round 4 of 4
Win vs Antonio Reyes 3-2-0
Jan 16, 2009 • Million Dollar Elm Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Gary Russell Jr WINS against Antonio Reyes by TKO in Round 3 of 4
Stats
Gary Allen Russell Jr “Mr.”
- WINS 31
- LOSSES 2
- DRAWS 0
- KOs 18
Weight 126 lbs (57.27 kg)
Height 5'4½" (1.64 m)
Reach 64" (163 cm)
-
Born
June 05, 1988 -
Age
36 -
Country
USA -
Born in
Washington, District of Columbia -
Trains in
Capitol Heights, MD
-
Stance
-
Rounds Boxed
172 -
KO Percentage
58.06% -
Boxing Hero
Fighter data provided by BoxRec Ltd. View disclaimer
Gary Allen Russell Jr Bio
Once the longest reigning champion in boxing, former WBC World Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. remains one of the most formidable fighters in the sport today. The outstanding southpaw may possess the fastest hands in the sport, to go along with his superior skills and ring IQ.
Fistic Royalty
Part of a prodigious boxing family, WBC World Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. is trained by his father Gary Sr., and alongside two of his younger brothers, Gary Antonio and Gary Antuanne, who are both rising unbeaten prospects.
Boxing since the age of seven, Russell won the Junior Olympics in 2044 and a year later earned U.S. and National Golden Gloves titles, becoming one of only two boxers to win both before the age of 17.
Russell continued to gain accolades and qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in 2008, but was unable to compete after a medical mishap at the Olympic weigh-in. This setback did not hold him back long at all, as Russell turned pro in January 2009 with a stoppage victory.
A Fast Rise
Fighting in the featherweight division, Russell racked up six victories in 2011 over a slew of veteran contenders to establish himself as a contender and earn recognition as the 2011 Prospect of the Year from ESPN, Ring Magazine and Sports Illustrated.
In 2014 Russell was in position for his first world title when he fought Vasyl Lomachenko for the vacant WBO Featherweight Championship. In a battle of two of the division’s most-skilled competitors, Russell lost the close majority decision.
Russell was not kept down for long however, as he scored a sensational knockout of Jhonny Gonzalez in March 2015 to grab the WBC featherweight world title in a fight taking place in Las Vegas. Russell scored three knockdowns before eventually finishing Gonzalez in spectacular fashion in the fourth round.
The Premier Featherweight
Since capturing the title, Russell has taken care of ever roadblock in his way.
April 2016 saw Russell blast out Patrick Hyland in the second round before a May 2017 stoppage of mandatory challenger Oscar Escandon.
On May 19, 2018, Russell took on unbeaten 2012 U.S. Olympian Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. in anticipated matchup. Russell proved to be too skilled for the younger Diaz as he showed off his speed on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
On May 18, 2019, Russell returned to the ring, battering former world champion Kiko Martinez via fifth-round TKO at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Boxing's Longest Reigning Champion
On February 8, 2020, Russell took on dangerous, undefeated mandatory challenger, Tugstsogt Nyambayar, at PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Nyambayar was a game, tough out but Russell again showed why he is one of the world's best fighters, successfully defending his WBC World Featherweight crown a fifth time by winning a clear, 12-round unanimous decision in a PBC on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing main event.
The southpaw’s handspeed was too much for Nyambayar (11-1, 9 KOs). Russell fought well going backward, using a left lead and a steady jab that was in Nyambayar's face for most of the fight.
All three judges were in agreement. Judge David Bilocerkowec gave Russell 10 of 12 rounds (118-110), while judge Glenn Feldman (116-112) and John McKaie (117-111) also had Russell winning by a comfortable margin.
“We put the work in every day in the gym,” Russell said. “I'm a perfectionist. We knew we had a very tough opponent and I knew he was going to bring his physical best. He had everything to gain and nothing to lose. We just focused and showed I'm one of the longest reigning champions for a reason.”
DISAPPOINTMENT IN DEFEAT
On January 22, 2022, Russell defended his title against mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo in the PBC on SHOWTIME main event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.
A protégé of Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao, Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) was able to end the reign of boxing’s longest male world champion by defeating Russell across 12 hard-fought rounds. Magsayo was able to use his size advantage to lean on Russell throughout the fight and benefited from an apparent injury to Russell’s right shoulder that became discernable in round four.
“I believe I have a torn tendon in my right shoulder,” said Russell. “I haven’t competed in almost two years. This is what true champions do. I wanted to step into the ring and display my superiority regardless of the injury.
“I hurt the shoulder about two weeks ago,” continued Russell. “But I went through with the fight because I’m a true champion and this is what warriors do. I’m going to fight regardless of what the situation is. I refuse to not compete and display my skillsets to my fans and the people that came out to show support and love. Please believe that I will be back. I still want these fights.”
Russell appeared to injure the shoulder throwing a short right hand and immediately winced in pain and retreated from the action. Russell was able to re-adjust his game plan and had success focusing solely on variations of his left hand. He slowed down the action and landed a number of clean shots to keep Magsayo at bay in a display of ring generalship, but it wasn’t enough to win over the judges.
At the end of the 12 rounds, Magsayo edged out the decision on the judges’ cards with a 114-114 score overruled by two judges seeing the bout 115-113 for Magsayo. After the fight, Russell indicated that he believed he still won the fight, while Magsayo left open the possibility of a rematch.
“I believed in my skillset and what I bring into the ring,” said Russell. “I felt like I still won the fight to be honest. Hell yeah I want a rematch. Would he want a rematch? That’s the question.”