Gary Antuanne Russell doesn’t belong here with me

Ahead of his first title defense, Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela says he expects it to be a routine fight for him.

The WBA junior welterweight titleholder Valenzuela, 14-2 (9 KOs), will face Gary Antuanne Russell on March 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The fight will serve as the co-main event to the PBC pay-per-view event headlined by WBA lightweight titlist Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach.

“I don’t believe that Gary Antuanne Russell belongs here with me,” said Valenzuela in a press release. “He’s a strong, solid, durable fighter. He’s good, but I think he’s a little stiff when I look at him more. I worked my ass off to get here, and this is a bit of a handout for him. I took two tough losses and came back from hell to get the [Isaac] ‘Pitbull’ Cruz fight and conquer that. Russell has had everything given to him, and I think it’s gonna show on March 1.”

Russell, 17-1 (17 KOs), a southpaw, is coming off his first pro defeat, a split decision defeat to Alberto Puello last June. A 2016 U.S. Olympian, Russell had previously defeated former titleholders Rances Barthelemy and Viktor Postol.

“Taking on Gary Antuanne for my first title defense says a lot about me,” said Valenzuela. “People have to respect it. My name is on the radar because of the kind of opposition I’m going up against. 

“I think I’m at the top of this division with guys like Teofimo Lopez and Alberto Puello,” said Valenzuela. “I believe strongly that I can beat all of these guys. It’s just a matter of taking it one fight at a time. Gary Antuanne Russell is in the way of where I’m trying to get to. I’ve got my full attention on him and I give him his respect. But there’s more that I want to do. My story is gonna continue after this.”

Valenzuela, 25, of Renton, Washington, by way of Los Mochis, Mexico, is coming off back-to-back career-best performances, beginning in December 2023 when he knocked out Chris Colbert in six rounds in their rematch. He followed that up with a split decision win over Cruz, out-boxing the favored slugger in August 2024.

Valenzuela says his win over Cruz sent the message that he is a lot more than just a fighter with a big punch.

“My mentality going into the ‘Pitbull’ fight was that I was gonna show that I’m a more diverse fighter than I got credit for, not just a knockout puncher,” said Valenzuela. “I have a full arsenal. I showed my poise in the ring and I showed my ring generalship. There were a lot of little things that I did that had a major effect in the fight.”

Style matchups can be hit-or-miss when two southpaws face off, but Valenzuela believes this will be an exciting fight.

“Fans can expect an action-packed fight,” said Valenzuela. “Stylistically, it’s a great matchup with him being a lefty and coming with the high guard marching forward. Gary is a lot taller than ‘Pitbull.’ I knew I could dance around ‘Pitbull,’ but with Gary, I think I’m gonna have to fight through him.”