By 
Las Vegas, Nevada
By Ron Harris – After the death of Gary Russell, Sr., Gary Jr., decided to take over as head of the Russell household along with his mother. His last fight was the last fight with his dad working his corner in 2022. He injured his left shoulder and lost his Featherweight championship that night in Atlantic City. Four months later, his father was gone. Russell became the head trainer for his younger brothers, leading the youngest, Antuanne, to a world championship recently. “For the past 3 and a half years, I have been focused on my family and training my younger brothers. I’ve been doing everything for everyone else, and now I have something to do for myself,” said Gary, Jr.
Russell, Jr. (32-2-19) took on Hugo Castaneda (15-3-1) Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and put on a boxing workshop starting in the first minute of round 1. The fight ended with the first knockout for Russell since 2019. He ended it with a hard left to the body that dropped Castaneda 26 seconds into the 10th and final round. Veteran referee, Harvey Dock, reached the count of ten. The fight was in the lightweight division, 135 pounds.
Timing can be an issue after being out of the ring for so long. 1274 days to be exact. In the first 60 seconds of round one, Russell, 37, landed a 3-punch combination that landed flush on the face of Castaneda and showed that his timing was just fine, and he never looked back. In round 2, Russell floored his opponent with a right, left combination and seconds later, put Castaneda 23, down again with a left to the head. Castaneda, from Reynosa, Mexico, had no answers for the experienced Russell, once described as having the fastest hands in boxing. He shot jabs, lead left hands and right hooks to all parts of Castaneda’s head and face with lightning speed as if he had never left the ring. Capital Heights, Maryland’s, Russell floored Castaneda 4 times in total.
Being out for 3 years can also allow the body to heal. Russell has a history with sore hands and the shoulder he injured in his last title defense. He said the shoulder will never be 100 % healed. He seemed to have no problem with it in this fight. Russell did not commit to returning on a full-time basis. He still has his training duties with his brothers. He may consider a title shot. His body of work is certainly deserving of a shot at a belt. Russell, Jr held his WBC Featherweight belt for 6 years and 10 months.
About Ron Harris
Ron Harris, retired college administrator, coach, broadcaster, Internet and TV sports producer and host. Former radio host of a live call-in show. Extremely close to the sports landscape in the Washington, DC metro area. Former radio sports reporter, covering MLB, college sports, major boxing events and much more.
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