{"id":59560,"date":"2016-04-17T01:51:46","date_gmt":"2016-04-17T06:51:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=59560"},"modified":"2016-04-17T01:52:25","modified_gmt":"2016-04-17T06:52:25","slug":"gary-russell-jr-bombs-out-patrick-hyland-in-two-breaking-boxing-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=59560","title":{"rendered":"Gary Russell, JR BOMBS OUT Patrick Hyland in TWO – Breaking Boxing News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Gary\"<\/a>WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. retained his title with a remarkable TKO of Irishman Patrick Hyland Saturday on SHOWTIME from Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. In the co-feature, Jose Pedraza defended his IBF Junior Lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Stephen Smith.<\/p>\n

Tonight\u2019s event was a family affair with Russell Jr. working his brother Antonio\u2019s corner during tonight\u2019s undercard and boxing\u2019s Smith brothers, including current WBO Super Welterweight World Champion Liam Smith, cheering from the crowd.<\/p>\n

A relentless Russell brought the main event to a quick halt by registering three knockdowns in the second round, the last of which forced referee Danny Schiavone to end the contest at 1:33. From the first bell, the Washington, D.C. native came out swinging with his trademark hand speed and dangerous power. Russell, a southpaw, successfully broke down\u2014and knocked out\u2014Hyland with multiple vicious right hooks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe stuck to the game plan. We stayed sharp,\u201d said Russell Jr., who improves his record to 27 wins, one loss, 15 knockouts.
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\u201cI\u2019m ready to fight anyone in the division \u2013 Santa Cruz, Lee Selby. We are ready. But what I really want is [Vasyl] Lomachenko. I don\u2019t care if he moves up to 147 pounds. I will go anywhere to get that fight,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere aren\u2019t many fighters who you instantly know are special,\u201d said SHOWTIME Sports expert analyst Steve Farhood. \u201cThe combination of Gary Russell\u2019s hand speed and accuracy instantly shows us that he\u2019s special. That was plainly evident tonight and at times his hand speed was frightening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pedraza (22-0, 12 KOs) remained disciplined and came out victorious during his second IBF 130-pound world title defense. A combination of timing, hand speed and good defense allowed the Puerto Rican native to dominate the 12-round championship fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis definitely was a tough fight but the training really came to advantage in this fight,\u201d Pedraza told SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray. \u201cI knew he was a tough fighter so I was always aware.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had better focus tonight. I had a better training camp,\u201d said Pedraza, referring to his controversial split decision win over Edner Cherry two fights ago. \u201cI knew that Stephen Smith was a great fighter and even after the knockdown, we were very cautious not to rush in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPedraza won tonight with different weapons. Mostly right hands to the head,\u201d said Farhood. \u201cI had the fight even after eight rounds and once Pedraza dropped Smith in the ninth, he gained momentum that he never lost and he pulled away. It was an impressive performance but also an important one because it erased a lot of the negative criticism Pedraza received in his controversial win over Edner Cherry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pedraza was the more accurate fighter, landing 50 percent of his power punches over the 12-round bout. The Sniper was able to pick his spots and pocket rounds once he figured out the distance. Smith had his moments, but wasn\u2019t active enough.<\/p>\n

Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME telecast, with Mauro Ranallo calling the action, Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggi commentating and Jim Gray reporting. In the Spanish simulcast, Alejandro Luna called the blow-by-blow and former world champion Raul Marquez served as color commentator. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING was David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.<\/p>\n

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Russell Jr. vs. Hyland, was a 12-round bout for Russell\u2019s Jr.\u2019s WBC Featherweight Title taking place on Saturday, Apr. 16 at the Fox Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT, is promoted by DiBella Entertainment. In the co-feature, Jose Pedraza and Stephen Smith will meet in a junior lightweight world title bout for the IBF belt. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader will air live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET\/8 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).<\/p>\n