Gary Russell, Jr. To Turn Pro in January, Says Washington Post!

The Washington Post's Les Carpenter is reporting that 2008 Olympian and Capitol Heights, MD resident Gary Russell, Jr. will make his professional debut in January.

Carpenter reports that the 20-year-old Russell will compete as a featherweight (126 pounds) in the pro ranks after boxing as a bantamweight (119 pounds) as an amateur. Russell has signed with manager Al Hayman and is slated to make his pro debut on January 17, possibly in Vancouver, British Columbia against an opponent to be determined on the undercard of the Andre Berto-Luis Collazo WBC Welterweight championship bout. This card was originally slated to be in New York City, but promoter Lou DiBella recently scrapped those plans when a proposed bout between Ronald Hearns and John Duddy fell through.

Hayman, by the way, also manages current and former champions Berto, Paul Williams, Jermain Taylor, Antonio Tarver and Vernon Forrest along with heavyweight contender Cristobal Arreola.

Carpenter says that some in boxing, including legendary promoter Don King, speculated that Russell's collapse in Beijing during the Olympics might not help him land a pro contract, Russell and his father/trainer Gary Russell, Sr. said they had a number of offers from several promoters and spent much of the fall months sifting through them.

Gary Sr. told the Post that he briefly considered having Gary Jr. remain in the amateur ranks so he could compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. Two of Russell's other sons -- Allen and Antonio -- are ranked in the top 13 in the world in their weight classes and are possible contenders for the London Olympics.