Gary Russell, Jr. is a man with a timeline. The WBC featherweight champion manned his own press conference to announce his May 19th bout against Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz at the MGM Grand National Harbor and revealed another indefatigable truth in the process.
I want to maximize our revenue because I dont plan on fighting for too much longer,” said Russell. “I had my first fight at seven years old. Im 29 now. Thats a long time competing and a lot of wear and tear on your body. Im a guy that doesnt cut corners, so it takes away from the time I could be spending with my family and friends. Im ready to spend time with my family and children and live out the fruits of our labor. But in the meantime, everybody else is in my way. Theyre trying to take food off my babys plate.
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The fighter told The Shadow League that he saw 6-7 fights left in his future. Russell also announced that he would be willing to go up in weight and fight current WBA (Super) featherweight champion, Gervonta “Tank” Davis. He also put “The Matrix” Vasyl Lomachenko on notice for a potential rematch before his career is over and more.
As far as a hit list of my next opponents goes, we are first going to take care of JoJo. I would love to get a unification bout with Leo Santa Cruz after that. If we dont get that, I plan on moving up in weight and challenging whoever has the title in that division. You want to know who I really want, though? I want Mikey Garcia.
My last fight will be against (Vasyl) Lomachenko. I want to conclude my career with breaking my foot off of him. That will be the conclusion of it. Im willing to wait, though. Right now, were good.”
Of course I would entertain a fight with Gervonta Davis. Were cool. Hes somebody that I actually watched grow up and develop as a fighter, but you have to stay in your lane. When I move up in weight, hes got to get out of the way or hes going to get ran over too.”
With boxing heating up across all weight classes, Gary Russell, Jr. is ready to end his career with a statement.
