BOXING NEWS 24

Jordan

Farhood: Gary Russell Jr. Needs to Step Up in Class

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Image: Farhood: Gary Russell Jr. Needs to Step Up in ClassBy Jordan V Marry: This past Friday, November 9th, up-and-coming featherweight star Mr. Gary Russell Jr. (21-0, 13KO’s) added another sensational knockout to his resume.  The talented southpaw flattened an over-matched Roberto Castaneda (20-3-1, 15KO’s) in the 3rd round with one picture perfect right hook.  However, Showtime color commentator Steve Farhood was quick to put this win in perspective by consistently reminding the viewers that Russell Jr.’s level of competition has been much less than world class.

At the opening of the broadcast, Farhood stated “Gary Russell Jr. is WAY too talented to be facing the level of competition that he is,” and went on to say that he is doing himself and his audience “no favors” by continuing his career at such a slow pace.  At only 24, it would seem that this 2008 Olympian still has some time to work his way up to a big money title fight, but let’s look at how Russell Jr. presently compares crème of the crop at 126lbs.