Gary Antuanne Russell Vs Jose Marrufo
The 23-year-old Gary Antuanne Russell (12-0, 12 KOs) has yet to allow an opponent to make it the distance against him since turning pro in 2017 following his run representing the U.S. Nyambayar 2020.02.08 Allentown, Pennsylvania Discussion Main Card 140 lbs Boxing Gary Antuanne Russell defeats Jose Marrufo via KO/TKO at 2:12 of Round 1. Gary Antuanne (12-0) will face off against Jose Marrufo. A super lightweight, the 23-year-old brother of Mr. Gary Russell Jr. Has won all of his bouts by way of knockout. He won four fights in 2019, and is looking to continue his winning ways with more fights under his belt. Gary Antuanne had a stint in the Olympics in 2016. Gary Antuanne, Gary Antonio’s younger brother, used a right hook to floor Marrufo at 2:12 of the first round in what was a scheduled 10-rounder. We got to get there. Erickson Lubin Outpoints Terrell Gausha in World Title Eliminator, The PBC Family Celebrates Their Heroes on Black History Month, Gary Russell Jr. Tugstsogt Nyambayar: Elite.
Undefeated 2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell will take on Mexico’s José Marrufo in a 10-round super lightweight bout, while unbeaten bantamweight contender Antonio Russell steps in the ring for a 10-round fight highlighting the non-televised undercard Saturday, February 8 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The card is headlined by the older brother of Gary Antuanne and Antonio, as undefeated WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. will defend his 126-pound crown against unbeaten mandatory challenger Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar live on SHOWTIME.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will see former world champions Guillermo Rigondeaux and Liborio Solís battle for the vacant WBA Bantamweight World Title in the co-main event, plus Jaime Arboleda meeting Jayson Vélez in a 12-round bout WBA Super Featherweight Title eliminator in the opener.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Kings Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through www.pplcenter.com/events.
Undercard action will also see super welterweight contender Jamontay “The Quiet Assassin” Clark (14-1-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round showdown against Mexico’s Vladimir Hernández (10-4, 6 KOs) and Springfield, Massachusetts native Anthony Velázquez (8-0, 8 KOs) in a six-round welterweight duel against Reading, Pennsylvania’s Kashon Hutchinson (7-5, 1 KO).
Rounding out the lineup is Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Torres (7-0, 3 KOs) taking on Mexico’s Edson Eduardo Neri (3-4, 2 KOs) for six rounds of bantamweight action, and a six-round battle of unbeaten welterweights as Bowie, Maryland’s Marlon Bolen (3-0, 2 KOs) squares off against Miami’s Osmel Mayorga (2-0, 1 KO).
The 23-year-old Gary Antuanne Russell (12-0, 12 KOs) has yet to allow an opponent to make it the distance against him since turning pro in 2017 following his run representing the U.S. at the 2016 Olympics. Russell added five more stoppage victories in 2019 and will be opposed by the 28-year-old Marrufo (12-9-2, 1 KO), who was born in Sonora, Mexico but fights out of Phoenix, Arizona. Marrufo split a pair of fights against then unbeaten Willie Shaw in 2019, defeating him in March before dropping a decision in the rematch in August.
Antonio Russell (16-0, 12 KOs) trains alongside his brothers Gary Antuanne and Gary Jr., with their father and head trainer Gary Russell Sr. in their Capitol Heights, Maryland hometown. The 26-year-old is unbeaten since turning pro in 2015 and picked up four wins in 2019, including his first 10-round fight, when he bested Francisco Pedroza in July, and most recently a first round stoppage of Samuel Gutierrez in November.
Posted on 01/30/2020Compiled By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of January 21st to January 28th; covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Photo Credit: Robert Elizondo/Team Juarez
Omar Juarez Training Camp Quotes
Unbeaten rising prospect Omar “El Relampago” Juarez will look toput on a show in the ring this Super Bowl weekend when he battles Mexico’sAngel Hernandez this Saturday, February 1 in FS1 PBC Fight Night action and onFOX Deportes from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.
“This is another great opportunity for me to shine on the bigstage,” said Juarez. “The Super Bowl is like a holiday for all sports fans.Everyone will be hanging out watching sports all weekend and I want to givethem something to remember.”
The 20-year-old Juarez (6-0, 4 KOs) returns to the ring after anoutstanding 2019 where he picked up five wins, including four by knockout. Hemost recently knocked out Kevin Shacks in November after his previous fight sawhim score a sensational finish on FS1 over Gino De La Paz in August.
“I’m so grateful that my management team and FOX believe in me bycontinuing to showcase me to the masses,” said Juarez. “All I want to do isperform to my best ability and continue to give the fans watching on TV aspectacular performance.”
The Brownsville, Texas native held the early portion of histraining camp in Brownsville before going to San Antonio to finish camp thereand spar with WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario Barrios, experience thatwill surely help him as his young career progresses.
“I started training camp in my hometown as I always do, butthen headed out to San Antonio to finish off the last few weeks,” said Juarez.“I got really good sparring with a world champion and somebody I admire. I’m abig fan of Mario Barrios. He’s an incredible fighter and I learned a lot frombeing in the ring with him. As I’m getting older, I can feel my body gettingstronger. I’m having a great training camp to say the least.”
Juarez will be opposed by the most experienced and accomplished opponentof his career in the 20-year-old in Hernandez. The Mexicali, Mexico native haswon 10 of his 11 fights and will be making his U.S. debut on February 1.
“Angel Hernandez is a fighter with real power and a man whois coming to take me out,” said Hernandez. “All of his victories have come byknockout, so I feel I’m in the toughest fight of my career. He’s a tough grittyMexican fighter with bad intentions on his mind.
“Unfortunately for Hernandez, I’m in the best shape of my life,and he’s stepping into the ring with a man on a mission. This will be anexciting night of fights and I plan to steal the show with a knockout.”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are onsale now and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office and throughTicketmaster.com.
Undefeated 2016 U.S. Olympian GaryAntuanne Russell & Unbeaten Bantamweight Contender Antonio Russell Competein Separate Attractions Highlighting Undercard Lineup Saturday, February 8 fromPPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Undefeated 2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell will take onMexico’s José Marrufo in a 10-round super lightweight bout, while unbeatenbantamweight contender Antonio Russell steps in the ring for a 10-round fighthighlighting the non-televised undercard Saturday, February 8 in a PremierBoxing Champions event from PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The card is headlined by the older brother of Gary Antuanne andAntonio, as undefeated WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. will defendhis 126-pound crown against unbeaten mandatory challenger Tugstsogt “KingTug” Nyambayar live on SHOWTIME.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6p.m. PT and will see former world champions Guillermo Rigondeaux and LiborioSolís battle for the vacant WBA Bantamweight World Title in the co-main event,plus Jaime Arboleda meeting Jayson Vélez in a 12-round bout WBA SuperFeatherweight Title eliminator in the opener.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotionsand Kings Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased throughwww.pplcenter.com/events (direct link HERE).
Undercard action will also see super welterweight contenderJamontay “The Quiet Assassin” Clark (14-1-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-roundshowdown against Mexico’s Vladimir Hernández (10-4, 6 KOs) and Springfield,Massachusetts native Anthony Velázquez (8-0, 8 KOs) in a six-round welterweightduel against Reading, Pennsylvania’s Kashon Hutchinson (7-5, 1 KO).
Rounding out the lineup is Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Torres (7-0, 3KOs) taking on Mexico’s Edson Eduardo Neri (3-4, 2 KOs) for six rounds ofbantamweight action, and a six-round battle of unbeaten welterweights as Bowie,Maryland’s Marlon Bolen (3-0, 2 KOs) squares off against Miami’s Osmel Mayorga(2-0, 1 KO).
The 23-year-old Gary Antuanne Russell (12-0, 12 KOs) has yet toallow an opponent to make it the distance against him since turning pro in 2017following his run representing the U.S. at the 2016 Olympics. Russell addedfive more stoppage victories in 2019 and will be opposed by the 28-year-oldMarrufo (12-9-2, 1 KO), who was born in Sonora, Mexico but fights out ofPhoenix, Arizona. Marrufo split a pair of fights against then unbeaten WillieShaw in 2019, defeating him in March before dropping a decision in the rematchin August.
Antonio Russell (16-0, 12 KOs) trains alongside his brothers GaryAntuanne and Gary Jr., with their father and head trainer Gary Russell Sr. intheir Capitol Heights, Maryland hometown. The 26-year-old is unbeaten sinceturning pro in 2015 and picked up four wins in 2019, including his first10-round fight, when he bested Francisco Pedroza in July, and most recently afirst round stoppage of Samuel Gutierrez in November.
USA Boxing Announces 2020 TokyoOlympic Games Qualification Team
USA Boxing announced today the 13 boxers who willrepresent Team USA at the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games Tokyo BoxingQualification Events, as well as the 13 alternates. A full list can be seenbelow.
The team was announced following the two-stage qualification process that beganin December at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing in Lake Charles andconcluded at the recent 2020 Strandja Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. The fullathlete selection procedure can be seen here.
“First of all, this was a very difficult decision,”stated USA Boxing Head Coach Billy Walsh. “Some of theseboxers were neck and neck between training camp and the 2020 StandjaTournament.”
“We feel the 13 boxers that earned their place on the OlympicQualification Team will be the best team to represent Team USA at the upcomingqualifiers, as well as have the best opportunity to qualify a full team to the2020 Olympic Games Tokyo.”
All 13 boxers will have two chances to punch their ticket to Tokyo. The firstwill take place at the America’s Qualification tournament in Buenos Aires,Argentina, March 26 – April 3. Boxers who do not qualify in Argentina will haveone final opportunity at the World Qualifier in Paris, France, May 13-24. Click here for moreinformation on how boxers qualify
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The boxers, as well as several training partners, will return to the UnitedStates Olympics and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. onFeb. 5 for their next training camp.
Follow USA Boxing on social media to stay up to date on training and news ofthe Olympic Qualification Team.
USABoxing Olympic Qualification Team
51 kg: Virginia Fuchs, Houston, Texas
52 kg: Anthony Herrera, Los Angeles, Calif.
57 kg: Andrea Medina, San Diego, Calif.
57 kg: Bruce Carrington, Brooklyn, N.Y.
60 kg: Rashida Ellis, Lynn, Mass.
63 kg: Keyshawn Davis, Norfolk, Va.
69 kg: Oshae Jones, Toledo, Ohio
69 kg: Delante Johnson, Cleveland, Ohio
75 kg: Naomi Graham, Fayetteville, N.C.
75 kg: Joseph Hicks, Grand Rapids, Mich.
81 kg: Rahim Gonzales, Las Vegas, Nev.
91 kg: Darius Fulghum, Houston, Texas
91+ kg: Richard TorrezJr., Tulare, Calf.
USABoxing Olympic Qualification Team Alternates
51 kg: Christina Cruz, Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y.
52 kg: Abraham Perez, Albuquerque, N.M.
57 kg: Lupe Gutierrez, Sacramento, Calif.
57 kg: David Navarro, Los Angeles, Calif.
60 kg: Amelia Moore, Alexandria, Va.
63 kg: Ernesto Mercado, Pomona, Calif.
69 kg: Briana Che, Madison, Wisc.
69 kg: Freudis Rojas Jr., Dallas, Texas
75 kg: Morelle McCane, Cleveland, Ohio
75 kg: Javier Martinez, Milwaukee, Wisc.
81 kg: Atif Oberlton, Philadelphia, Pa.
91 kg: Jamar Talley, Camden, N.J.
91+ kg: Antonio Mireles, Des Moines, Iowa
YordenisUgas Training Camp Quotes
Top welterweight Yordenis Ugas shared his thoughts on trainingcamp and previewed his upcoming showdown against Mike Dallas Jr. before hesteps into the ring this Saturday, February 1 in the FS1 PBC Fight Night mainevent and FOX Deportes from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.
“We are in the final days of a great training camp and I couldn’tfeel any better going into this fight,” said Ugas. “Me and my trainer IsmaelSalas are working on a great strategy that we believe will be successful. Mytiming is right on point and every round of sparring has been unbelievable.It’s been an outstanding camp in Las Vegas and I’m ready to go!”
Ugas will look to put on a performance worthy of his headliningslot the night before Super Bowl LIV, and further cement himself as a force tobe reckoned with at welterweight.
“This is a huge weekend for sports fans,” said Ugas. “It’s veryexciting to be in the main event one day before the Super Bowl. You know thatwhen I get in the ring, you’re going to see action and great skill from startto finish. I always come to put on a great performance.”
Ugas will be challenged by the veteran Dallas, who has facedquality competition throughout his career and enters this matchup the winner offour of his last five bouts, with the only blemish a split draw in 2016 againstDusty Hernandez Harrison.
“Mike Dallas Jr. is a very skilled fighter who’s been in the ringwith some very good opposition,” said Ugas. “He’s a crafty veteran who I knowis coming to fight with all his heart. His only losses have come against topfighters. I’m taking this fight very seriously and I’ll have to be on my gameto really make a statement.”
The Cuban-born Ugas believes that a statement on Saturday will puthim back in position to challenge one of the welterweight elite for a secondshot at a world title. In March 2019, Ugas came up just short of becomingchampion, dropping a narrow decision to then WBC titlist Shawn Porter. Ugasreturned to action for a WBC title eliminator in July 2019, and he performedimpressively, dropping Omar Figueroa and handing him the first loss of hiscareer.
“My lifelong dream ever since I first laced up a pair of gloveswas to win a world title,” said Ugas. “I’ve come so close to accomplishing thatdream, but for some reason I’ve come up short. I’m determined to be the bestfighter I can be, and I know in my heart that I’m one of the best welterweightsin the world. My goal is to become a world champion in 2020.”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are onsale now and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office and throughTicketmaster.com.
Ruben VillaCamp Notes
Gary Antuanne Russell Boxrec
Undefeated featherweight and world-ranked Ruben Villa (17-0, 5KOs) is winding down his training for his 10-round showdown with Cuban knockoutartist Alexei Collado (26-2, 23 KOs), this Friday night at the Hirsch MemorialColiseum in Shreveport, Louisiana. The bout will headline a three-fighttelecast on ShoBox: The New Generation and live on SHOWTIME (10 PM ET/PT).
Villa has been working hard just outside of his native Salinas,California.
“Training camp has been good. I have been training inPrunedale which is a little bit outside of Salinas, but its close enough, so ina way I am home, but I am not at home.
In Collado, he is facing atough veteran, who has an impressive knockout ratio.
“Collado is a realstrong aggressive guy. He is a veteran. I have to be cautious because of hispower and play it very smart on our end.”
With a winning performance on January 31st, Villa can see himselfin the middle of the featherweight title chase as he looks to improve on hisnumber-five ranking by the WBO.
“I feel like I’ve proven myself with the last couple offights. I feel like I belong in the top-five if not higher. I feel that a winwill set me up for bigger and better things.
Villa has been more them grateful to accelerate from prospect tocontender on the series that has showcased more than 75 world champions.
“Another main event on ShoBox. I am excited to showcase mytalents in Louisiana again. It’s motivation to prove myself to people that Ishould be the main event.
“I am usually just real focused. I know the featherweightdivision is stacked, but I am really just focused on what is in front of me andfocused for the fight. After we are finished on January 31st, my team and I canfigure out what is next; however, I feel that I am close to competing for aworld title.”
Villa is promoted by BannerPromotions and Thompson Boxing.
Undefeated Ukrainian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist TarasShelestyuk (17-0, 10 KOs) meets Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron (18-1-2, 9 KOs)in a 10-round welterweight matchup in the co-featured bout. The televisedopener features an eight-round lightweight bout pitting ShoBox veteran ZhoraHamazaryan (9-1-1, 6 KOs) of Armenia against Sulaiman Segawa (13-2, 4 KOs) ofUganda.
The event is promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing andBishop Promotions LLC. Tickets can be purchased at www.Bishoppromotions.com and prices are$20-$100.
DAZN toPresent 40 Days: Jake Paul vs. Gib
DAZNOriginals will present the latest edition of its training camp series, 40 DAYS:JAKE PAUL VS. GIB, an in-depth look at YouTube stars Jake “The Problem Child”Paul and “7-Figure Gibber” AnEsonGib ahead of their Jan. 30 professional boxingdebuts, which will serve as the co-main event to a special Thursday nightedition of world class boxing, exclusively on DAZN.
40 DAYS: JAKE PAUL VS. GIB will debut on each fighter’s YouTubechannel today, Jan. 23, one week before the two settle the score in Miami priorto the big game. The 25-minute episode will also be available on the DAZNplatform in addition to DAZN and Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channels.
This edition of 40 DAYS provides a revealing look at each fighterand their road to the Jan. 30 grudge match. DAZN takes viewers from Jake Paul’srise to stardom via Vine and YouTube through to his training camp atCalifornia’s Big Bear Mountain where he is escaping his fame to prepare withthree-division world champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Meanwhile, Gib’shigh-energy antics and his path to overcoming obesity are detailed as he trainsin Las Vegas with professional fighter and KSI’s head trainer Viddal Riley.
“Big Bear is high altitude and no distractions, you can’t escapethinking about boxing there,” said Jake Paul. “Training with Shane Mosley, justeverything clicked, and everything felt right. Gib is definitely a steppingstone but you have to step on that stone to get to the next one. I don’t thinkGib has ever been punched in the face by someone who is pissed off and has beenlocked away in the mountains when I could be in LA doing fun shit.”
“You lot won’t be seeing this Jake Paul vs. KSI fight,” said Gib.“Jake is getting peppered. He does not know what he is in for on Jan. 30.”
Jake Paul has made his intentions clear in the promotion of hisfight against Gib: If he emerges victorious in his pro debut on Jan. 30, hewants to avenge Logan Paul’s 2019 loss against KSI later this year.
“I don’t like Jake and I think the whole world doesn’t like Jake,”said KSI. “If he does manage to get past the Big Gibber then yes, I will fightJake. 100%. But that’s not going to happen, I don’t think he’s ready for Gib atall and that’s going to show on Jan. 30. I think Gib wins this hands down andthat will be the end of the Paul brothers.”
“Losing to KSI wasn’t easy but in many ways, it has given Jake anopportunity to no longer be the little brother,” said Logan Paul. “Jake took myloss harder than I did. It hurt because seeing my younger brother more affectedthan I am by something that wasn’t even his ordeal. I think it says a lot aboutJake’s character.”
“Even the most public figures have a story to be told,” saidDeirdre Fenton, DAZN Director, Original Programming. “The world may think theyknow all there is to know about Jake Paul and Gib but we have tried to peelback the layers to deliver a comprehensive look at both fighters before theysettle their differences on Jan. 30.”
Top RankSigns Andrew Cancio
Former WBA super featherweight world champion Andrew “El Chango”Cancio, the working man’s hero who reached the pinnacle of the sport, hassigned a multi-fight promotional contract with Top Rank. Cancio, who stillholds down a full-time job at Southern California Gas Company, is expected tomake his Top Rank on ESPN debut in April.
“Andrew Cancio is one of the very best fighters at 130 pounds, ahard-working young man who deserves another opportunity to fight at the sport’shighest level,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He was a free agent,miraculously, and we didn’t hesitate to make a deal with him and histeam.”
“I’m very grateful to begin the next chapter of my careerwith Bob Arum and the entire Top Rank team in my corner,” Cancio said. “I lookforward to returning to the ring in front of my army of supporters and am fullyprepared to fight my way towards becoming a world champion again. Thanks verymuch to my team, particularly my manager, Ray Chaparro, who has always believedin me and has been incredibly supportive of my career and instrumental in thesuccess I’ve achieved.”
Said Chaparro: “Andrew and I are honored to join Top Rank aswe move forward towards the rest of his career. I’ve known for a long time thatAndrew is a world-class fighter and am very happy to begin working with BobArum and his outstanding team on our march towards another world title. I’dspecifically like to thank Top Rank matchmaker Brad Goodman, who has workeddiligently to welcome us to Top Rank. We both look forward to working closelywith him in the future.”
Cancio (21-5-2, 16 KOs), from Blythe, Calif., knocked out AlbertoMachado last February in four rounds to win the WBA super featherweight worldtitle. Four months later, he repeated the deed, this time stopping Machado inthree rounds. Cancio’s title reign ended last November when Nicaraguan veteranRene Alvarado knocked him out in seven rounds.
Cancio is one of the sport’s top regional ticket-sellers, as heroutinely draws sold-out crowds to the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif.,a 90-minute drive from Blythe. After the Alvarado defeat, Cancio was releasedby his previous promoter, paving the way for him to sign with Top Rank. WBOworld champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring, WBC world champion Miguel “El Alacran”Berchelt, former featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez, former two-weightworld champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton and former world champion Masayuki“The Judge” Ito are Top Rank-signed fighters who currently campaign at 130pounds, leaving Cancio with a plethora of options as he resumes his career.
Gary Antuanne Russell Boxer
AndradeSigns Four Fight Extension with Matchroom
Gary Antoine Russell Vs Jose Marrufo
Demetrius Andrade has signed a four-fight extension to hiscontract with Matchroom Boxing USA.
Andrade (28-0 17 KOs) defends his WBO World Middleweight crown forthe third time against Luke Keeler in Miami on January 30 live on DAZN in theUS and on Sky Sports in the UK.
‘Boo Boo’ landed the vacant title in Boston in October 2018 with awin over teak-tough African Walter Kautondokwa and followed that win bystopping Artur Akavov in the final round of his first defense in New York inJanuary 2019.
The Rhode Island ace went home for his second defense and thrilledhis hometown fans at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence in June by puttingMaciej Sulecki on the deck in the opening round en-route to a shut-out win overthe Pole.
Irishman Keeler (17-2-1 5 KOs) travels to Miami in a bid to shockthe world in his first World title fight, but Andrade wants to hold onto histitle in style before attacking the big guns and fellow World rulers at 160lbs.
“I’m delighted to have signed an extension to my deal with EddieHearn and Matchroom Boxing USA,” said Andrade. “We have had a great 18 monthsand we’ve got plans to have an even bigger 2020 and 2021.
“I’ve matured in the ring as I’ve been more active and sometimes Ithink, if these guys had fought me before they might have had a better chanceagainst me, but now they are giving me the time to sign with Eddie and DAZN,get active and fight four times, sharpen the tools and get the ring rust off.So, when it comes their time, it’s going to be hell for them!
“As long as I am building my legacy, performing the way I need toperform and people are loving my style and the things I am doing, I am notworried about anything else as the fans are going to start demanding that theseguys fight me.”
The two-weight World ruler was one of the first fighters to teamup with promoter Eddie Hearn in July 2018 as he expanded the Matchroom Boxingempire to America with a billion-dollar deal with DAZN, and Hearn expects theRhode Island ace to have a big year in 2020.
“I am thrilled to have signed an extension to Demetrius’ deal withMatchroom Boxing USA,” said Hearn. “Demetrius is one of the best 160lb fightersin the world and now is the time to deliver him the fights against the otherelite Middleweights in the division, live on DAZN.”