Jhonny Gonzalez – Gary Russell, JR: Who Wins and Why?

By Travis Fleming

Tthe Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas plays host to a card stacked with talent. The headlining bout has Jhonny Gonzalez defending his WBC featherweight world championship belt against Gary Russell, JR. Gonzalez is one of the hardest punchers in boxing and he has steadily improved under legendary trainer Nacho Beristan. His first round knockout of highly ranked Abner Mares, remains one of the biggest upsets in recent years.

He has established himself as one of the top two featherweights in the world, with underrated boxing skill to go with his chilling power. Gary Russell Jr just might have the fastest hands in boxing. He was a decorated amateur but, like Kell Brook, was kept away from top tier opposition for too long. Last year he finally stepped up to risk his undefeated record against, perhaps, the greatest amateur of all time in Vasyl Lomachenko. The fight was for the vacant WBO featherweight title, and although Lomachenko won a clear decision, Russell showed flashes of brilliance and hopefully grew from the experience. If Russell didn’t learn from his first trip to the elite level, he’s going to regret jumping back into it so soon when he’s laying on his back courtesy of a left hook from Gonzalez. This fight can go one of two ways, in my opinion. Either Gary Russell finds his rhythm and uses his speed to outhustle Gonzalez and offset his timing, or Gonzalez gets in his face early and doesn’t relent until he’s in control and eventually lands a knockout blow.

The main undercard in Vegas, features undefeated junior middleweight contender Jermell Charlo against top 10 gatekeeper, Vanes Martirosyan. Charlo is one of the better young prospects in the sport, he should beat Vanes rather convincingly to line himself up for his first title shot. Vanes is a very tough, hungry fighter with a good amateur pedigree and he is in a must win fight to stay in the top ten at junior middleweight. Charlo cannot afford an off night and I highly doubt he’ll have one with a title shot looming. Also on the undercard is Jermell’s twin brother Jermall Charlo and J’Leon Love in separate bouts against journeymen.

Boxing fans are in for a great couple of months. Leading up to, and directly following, Mayweather vs Pacquiao on May 2nd, there are championship caliber fights nearly every weekend. Be sure to tune in this weekend if you like knockouts as these fights should deliver.