In the co-main event of Emmanuel Rodriguez-Melvin Lopez(Showtime), which will take place at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland on Saturday night, Capitol Heights, Maryland-native Gary Antuanne Russell will battle fellow unbeaten Kent Cruz in the 10-round super lightweight showdown.
Every time he’s entered the ring, Russell (16-0, 16 KOs) ended the fight with a stoppage, and against Kent (16-0-3, 10 KOs), Russell expects to put on an outstanding performance.
“People are gonna see a Grade-A performance from me on Saturday,” Russell said. “It feels really good to be back. Cruz is gonna bring his physical best, and I’m gonna bring everything I need to put the fire out.”
While knockouts are great, Russell just wants to win.
“My knockout streak is a good thing, but the object of this sport is to continue to win. A knockout would be a notch on my belt, and I plan to get it, but it’s not a weight on my shoulders…
“He can expect pain. It’s the hurt business. Someone’s ‘0’ has got to go. At the end of the day, I’m gonna take my hat off to him and be respectful, but I’m gonna show everyone that I do it for the art. I love this sport.”
The 27-year-old Russell comes from a fighting family that includes former world champion Gary Russell Jr.; Gary Antuanne Russell wants to make his family look good.
“I’m back in my hometown and representing my area,” he said. “If I get good grades, I make the family look good, right? That’s the objective. People are gonna be saying that I’m a beast.
“Pressure busts pipes and makes diamonds. If anything, I’m at ease fighting at home.”
Also on the card, top prospect and Landover, Maryland-native Travon Marshall dueling unbeaten two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre in the 10-round welterweight telecast opener.
Photo: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
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