Unbeaten #2 ranked WBC light welterweight contender Gary Antuanne Russell is fighting next month for the World Boxing Council interim 140-lb title against unbeaten Alberto Puello in a 12-round contest on June 15th on PBC PPV on Prime Video at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Russell’s Return and Title Aspirations
Russell, 27, hasn’t fought since last August and is finally returning to the ring against former WBA light welterweight champion Puello (22-0, 10 KOs) on the undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin and David Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
If Russell is victorious in this fight, he’s going to be on the doorstep to a title shot against WBC 140-lb champion Devin Haney. When or if that fight happens, it’s going to be interesting to see how well Haney holds up under the huge firepower from Russell. However, if the fight is dragged out by Haney’s side, he probably will vacate and move up to 147 because he’s already killing himself to make 140.
Russell says he wants to become undisputed at light welterweight, and he’s coming for all the champions. To realize that vision, Russell is going to have to be a lot busier than he’s been because fighting once a year ain’t going to get it.
Antuanne Russell’s most notable wins have come against these three fighter:
– Viktor Postol
– Jovanie Santiago
– Rances Barthelemy
The Dominican Republic-born Puello won the vacant WBA light welterweight title in 2022 with a 12-round split decision win over Batyr Akhmedov. Unfortunately, Puello has fought only once since then, beating little-known Ector Madera last December.
Russell’s Unwavering Determination
“I’m going after everybody that has got a title. I’m wiping out the whole division,” said Antuanne Russell to 4our Corners Boxing about his goal. “I’m going to try and shoot for undisputed. That’s what I’m doing.
“It’s more the mental thing that drains a person in camp. That’s the toughest part. It’s not the weight. It’s not the hard work. You’ve been putting in hard work your whole life if this is what you do.
“That s*** is going to make numbers. Who wouldn’t want to see that?” said Russell about a fight between him and WBA 140-lb champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
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