WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr 31-1 (18) has blamed other boxers for refusing to fight him ahead of his clash with Mark Magsayo 23-0 (16) at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Saturday night.
Russell is one of the most talented fighters in the sport but chronic inactivity has kept him off the radar of all but the most hardcore of hardcore boxing fans.
Since winning the green belt against veteran Jhonny Gonzalez in 2015, Russell has fought just once a year with the exception of 2021 when he didn’t fight at all.
But Russell believes his dedication to the craft will be enough to see him through against the undefeated Filipino this weekend.
“There are no concerns about ring rust. I’m always in the gym,” the 33-year-old southpaw said. “I haven’t taken two months off from training since I was about four or five. Boxing is not just what I do, it’s a lifestyle for me.
“At the end of the day, I’m a gladiator and I love what I do. I love showing the skill set that I bring to the sport of boxing. Nothing has come easy for us. This is not unfamiliar territory for me or my family.
“If I go out there and I destroy Mark on Saturday, then the big fights that I want, those fighters won’t be in a rush to face me, not that they are now anyway. I’m always trying to give the same message when I enter the ring. I believe in intellect over athleticism, no matter the situation.
“Mark is actually willing to put it all on the line. He’s going to go out there and give it his best. A lot of other fighters want to hide from the best. But I know Mark wants this badly. It’s a pleasure to share the field of battle with him.
“He said he’s going to show his skills and that’s what I’m looking forward to. I wish other fighters would step up like he did. That’s what the sport of boxing needs.
“I’m competing in the first month of the year, so if we can get through the fight injury-free, we’re going to try to swing back around this summer. I just need a willing opponent. I’m willing to move up in weight, but if I move up, I want to compete against another champion.”
Magsayo, 26, will be having his fourth straight fight in the United States and sixth overall. He fought twice last year with his last bout being a come-from-behind 10th round knockout victory over Julio Ceja on the Manny Pacquiao versus Yordenis Ugas undercard in August.
“Gary is a really good fighter,” Magsayo said. “I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time. Now the opportunity is here and I can’t wait for the fight. I’m not expecting any ring rust from Gary Russell.
“I can fight and I can adjust. I have speed just like Gary does. On Saturday, we’ll put our skills up against each other.
“Manny Pacquiao is my idol, ever since I was a kid. I started training at eight-years-old because of him to one day become world champion. Now that time is here. I’m so happy that Manny signed me to his promotional company and I’m grateful.
“I learned a lot from the Julio Ceja fight. I showed that I can adjust, that I can brawl and that I can box when I have to. That fight has helped me so much.
“It’s great to have Freddie Roach and Marvin Somodio helping me every day. I thought that I already knew boxing, but when I came to the gym they corrected my mistakes and made me a much more accurate puncher.
“Filipinos are born strong, we are warriors. I’m going to bring that attitude and that mentality into the fight.”
