Russell does not care, But Magsayo is Ready to Impose his Mark

WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr., will defend his title against his mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo in the main event fight next Saturday, Jan 22, at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, live on Showtime.

The fight is promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).

Gary Russell Jr. and Mark Magsayo participated yesterday in a virtual press conference where they offered their views on their Atlantic City World Title Clash.

Gary Russell Jr. (31-1, 18 KOs), a native of Capitol Heights, Maryland, has held his WBC featherweight title since 2015, when he stopped multi-division champion Jhonny Gonzalez to emphatically capture the belt.

Russell owns wins over reigning featherweight champion Kiko Martinez (via TKO in 2019) and a unanimous decision over former world champion Joseph “JoJo”Diaz Jr. in 2018.

Will Magsayo overwhelm Russell, something neither Martinez nor JoJo could do?

In Feb of 2020, Russell outpointed previously undefeated Tugstsogt Nyambayar on his way to his 5th Title defense. That was long ago.

Does that mean that the more active Magsayo might have the upper-hand?

GARY RUSSELL JR. SHARES HIS THOUGHTS:
“I use everything that happens to me outside of the ring as fuel. It has been very difficult to deal with the passing of my brother and my dad’s health problems.

“I tell people all the time that life is like boxing. You have to keep your chin down and your hands up. I am grateful to be mentally strong when it comes to things like this. This is what champions do, we overcome adversity.”

“I have been willing to compete against anyone, whenever and wherever. But I can’t force these guys to get in the ring and fight me. I just have to prepare as best I can. I need a dance partner.”

“I see him as a good level-headed puncher, maybe he leans a little bit more to the right hand. He has good punching power, but none of that matters if you can’t hit the target.”

“We are grinding in the training ground. Whatever happens, we are not going to make excuses or complaints.”

“If I’m going to gain weight, I want to fight the champion. I don’t plan on gaining weight just to queue. I’m fighting Magsayo because he moved up the rankings and earned this spot. Everyone I have competed against has been the next best under the champion.”

“I have no concern with the power of Magsayo. He rarely sees me having to return on scorecards. Magsayo had to come back in his last fight because he was losing on the cards. That shows some holes in his armor.”

“I never overlook anyone. Of course I want the Gervonta Davis fight. But I’m focused on Magsayo. He’s the one who worked his way into this position to fight me. Davis is in no rush, so I will stay focused on a true warrior who steps into the ring with me.”

“I stay in the gym. Boxing is not just what I do, it is a lifestyle for me. Even when I finish my degree, I will still be in the gym. I never really explode and get very fat. I love what I do and I am very militant in my way of thinking.”

“No one can really prepare for me. You cannot prepare how you think you can. I know that Magsayo will be in the best physical and mental moment of him. My hat is off to him, because he’s willing to take a chance to prove he’s the best. I wish other fighters took the same risk.”

“A lot of these other guys are not willing to step in with me because of the skill set that I bring. Finally, we have another fighter with some heart who is willing to fight. I want him to do his best, so we’ll see who is the best.”

Meanwhile, Mark Magsayo (23-0, 16 KOs), who fights out of Pasig City, Metro Manila, and recently scored the best victory of his career in August by knocking out former champion Julio Ceja in the 10th round of a fight that was behind in the cards.

The 26-year-old fights in the US for the sixth time on January 22 as he steps toward his first shot at championship gold.

Magsayo is trained by Freddie Roach in Southern California and owns 12-round decision victories over Shoto Hayashi and Ramiro Robles, plus a sixth-round stoppage of former title challenger Chris Avalos.

MARK MAGSAYO SHARES HIS THOUGHTS:
“I am very grateful to my entire team for making this fight possible. I have been training for three and a half months, so I will be well prepared for this fight.”

“I don’t think Gary has faced anyone since he became champion who has the skills that I have. I’m going to go in there to show him something he’s never seen before and we’ll see how he reacts.”

“I learned a lot from the Ceja fight. That gave me a lesson in how to adapt in the middle of a fight. He’s going to help me against Russell.”

“I respect Gary Russell Jr., he is a great champion, but I will win this fight on January 22nd. I want to show people everywhere that I am the best featherweight in the world.”

“I am going to show the world that I am the best at this weight. This is the fight I’ve wanted for a long time. I’ve been patiently waiting for my chance and I’m ready to do my best.”

“I’ve had great sparring partners to prepare for Russell and give me the same look that he will give me on fight night. This is my first world title fight and I’m going to give it my all.”

“I am not trying to be the next Manny Pacquiao, but I am trying to put my own mark on the history of this sport and for all Filipinos. I’m hungry to try everything in the ring.”

“I’m going to be the strong one against Russell. We train every day with Freddie Roach and we have worked on many different techniques that we will use in this fight.”

“I know it will bring his talent to the ring, but I will show everyone that I can put up a great fight and become a champion.”

Mark Magnifico Magsayo is relentless AND has stopping power to spare, but can he handle Gary Russell Jr’s speed and ring IQ?

Who will emerge Victorios from that battle, the skilled and crafty American World Champion… or the strong-puncher Pinoy Challenger?????