Gary Russell Jr. made a spectacular return to the ring Saturday night. Showing no signs of rust after a layoff of more than three and a half years. The 37-year-old former WBC featherweight champion overwhelmed Hugo Castaneda with blistering hand speed, sharp technique, and well timed power shots. Russell dropped Castaneda four times throughout the fight and sealed the victory with a vicious body shot early in the 10th round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada. Referee Harvey Dock stepped in and halted the scheduled 10-rounder just 26 seconds into the final round.
The win was a powerful statement from Russell (32-2, 19 KOs), who hadn’t fought since losing his title to Mark Magsayo in January 2022, a fight in which he entered with an injury but still went the distance, losing by majority decision. That defeat ended Russell’s impressive run as the longest reigning world champion in boxing at the time. Now competing at 37, the Capitol Heights, Maryland native reminded fans why he once sat atop the featherweight division, potentially setting up another run at a world title or at the very least, proving he’s still a major force in the sport.
Staying active?
Don’t be surprised if Gary Russell Jr. returns to the ring before the year is out. After such a sharp and composed performance, it’s clear he’s still operating at a high level. Given how fresh he looked, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him stay active as he works his way back into title contention. Excellent showing by the former champion.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
