By: Hans Themistode
Gary Russell Jr continued to express his frustration at his inability to conduct a team showdown. The WBC featherweight belt holder is by far the longest reigning champion in his division. But, despite his lengthy championship streak, the 33-year-old entered the ring just once a year from 2015-2020. In 2021, he played unsuccessfully.
While no one in or around his respective weight class appeared in any hurry to take on him, Mark Magsayo confidently stepped to the top of his class. With an unsigned track record through 23 professional games, including consecutive wins over Pablo Cruz and Julio Ceja, Magsayo has now become a must-have for Russell Jr. And, by all accounts, Magsayo couldn’t be happier in his current position.
“This is the fight I’ve been wanting for a long time,” Magsayo said at a recent virtual press conference.
Currently, Russell Jr finds himself near the top of the feather rankings. While the Washington DC-born player continues to be amazingly inactive, whenever he steps into the ring, his insanely great skill set seems to remain intact.
On Russell Jr.’s most recent trip to the ring, which took place in February 2020, he easily defeated highly ranked opponent Tugstsogt Nyambayar. Despite his ring appearances being few and far between, Russell Jr still scoffed at the notion that anyone, but him, should be considered best at 126 pounds. With that said, Magsayo believes the timing of Russell Jr. on the top of the mountain feather class is coming to an end.
“I’m going to show the world that I’m the best at this weight.”
