Gary Russell vs. Daniel Ponce De Leon Next?‏

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    2008 U.S. Olympian, Gary Russell (21-0, 13 KO) of Capitol Heights, Maryland, performed even better than expected yet again last night on Showtime’s ShoBox “The New Generation.” Russell headlined against Roberto Castaneda, whom he knocked out cold, leaving him folded backwards lying motionless. Russell’s speed and power were on full display last night as he landed a sensational counter right hook to end the contest at 1 minute, 25 seconds of the third round.

    Gary Russell is currently ranked in the top 10 by most of sanctioning bodies in the featherweight division. The WBC has him ranked number 7, the WBO has him ranked at number 10, and he is ranked at number 4 by the WBA. Russell promises that 2013 will be his break out year. The wait is over, the injuries are healed, and the future awaits one of the most exciting talents in the sport to emerge as the star that so many expect him to be.

    Russell still has his eyes set on a possible Juan Manuel Lopez clash, but he wants to allow “JaunMa” the time to settle back into the sport. “I believe he’s just about out of his suspension, and he’s going to be preparing. He’s a great fighter, so I know he’s going to get right back on the horse. I know he’s going to take a couple fights. I wouldn’t want to fight him immediately right now because I know that the layoff does definitely have a big effect on you and your performance. I wouldn’t want to fight him right now. I would want him to have at least two to three tune up fights before we compete. I would want him to feel as though he was at his best when he fought me,” said Russell.

    How feasible a fight between Russell and Lopez is yet to be determined. Russell is signed to Al Haymon and Lopez is with Top Rank which can make the fight a bit easier to make because Russell isn’t signed to Golden Boy but instead has been fighting under their banner on a fight to fight basis. Haymon isn’t considered the most powerful man in boxing for nothing. If anyone can make this fight happen it would be Haymon. “Ultimately it is an individual sport, but we’re more so in like this secret organization, all working together at the same time. It’s like a brotherhood,” explained Russell when asked on Haymon’s abilities to get things done for his fighters.

    Russell is well schooled, well mannered and poised. His intelligence is a characteristic that he should get more credit for. While he knows a fight with Juan Manuel Lopez would be a lucrative one and one that would quiet the naysayers on his level of opposition to date, he’s fully aware that Lopez has to has rebuild himself both in the eyes of the public and also his own confidence. “I would discredit my win. I wouldn’t want to compete against a guy that’s been on such a long lay off at the time. That’s why I said I would want him to have at least two or three tune up fights.” Russell told ThaBoxingVoice.com.

    What last night proved is number 1: We all feel Gary Russell could be a future star, and number 2: If all goes according to plan next year we will see him in against better foes, but the outcome may still be the same, as this young man is a special talent. “I definitely do feel as though it’s all headed towards the ultimate goal. I’m a firm believer in God and I believe that he allows things to happen for a reason. We are looking forward to having a tremendous 2013. I’m never overlooking anyone so I take it one step at a time. We’re trying to get a big fight with (Daniel) Ponce De Leon somewhere in the 2013 and actually try and get one of these titles,” stated Russell. He also went on to say, “It’s not set in stone. That’s one of the guys we definitely have our eyes on now. I feel as though that it’s the time for us to make this move and start collecting this hardware.”

    It’s hard to not notice that Russell is an incredibly gifted athlete, but he still has much to prove in order to become a true star in the sport. He seems very willing and able to accept the challenges that lie ahead in order for him to achieve that goal. His future looks bright but only time will tell. Either way, Gary Russell is definitely a fighter to look out for in 2013.

    Check out the full interview here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thaboxingvoiceradioshow/2012/11/09/gary-russell-jr-and-daquan-arnett-on-thaboxingvoice