(Photo by Tom Casino/Showtime)
Capitol Heights, MD featherweight Gary Russell, Jr. (right) weighed in at 127 pounds for his pro debut tomorrow night in Tulsa, OK. Russell's battle against Antonio Reyes will open the ShoBox telecast tomorrow night at 11 PM ET on Showtime. Reyes weighed in at 125 pounds.
Russell commented in a Showtime press release on the excitement leading up to his pro debut.
I am feeling good and ready to perform. I’m not nervous at all. I’m more excited than anything.
“I can’t wait to show the fans what they missed had I fought in the Olympics. Look for a lot of speed and a lot of power.
“I think the main difference I’ve noticed so far training as a pro is that I can take my time a little more and pick my spots. In the amateurs with its computer scoring, it actually made it more difficult for me.
I wasn’t able to do the types of free-style things I wanted to do. But in the pros, I can.’’
Reyes (3-2) said that Russell's choice of fighting him in his pro debut could be a mistake for the 2008 Olympian.
“I think quite possibly that they made a mistake fighting me for his first pro fight, but we all have to start somewhere. I believe all fighters should fight good fighters to get experience. You are only as good as the guys you fight.
“This is not an easy fight for either of us, but I know he is going to have to be at his best. Nobody wants to start his pro record with a loss, but this is my chance and I’m stoked, super excited and really looking forward to fighting on SHOWTIME.
“He was a great amateur champion and I know he has quick hands, but this is such a huge opportunity for me. I want to test him early and work his body because I’m not so sure he’s tasted real body shots before. He had better bring his “A” game because this is going to be a wonderful fight.’’
lmao at reyes. That's what fighters are supposed to do - be confident. He must have no idea what he's in store for. I wish that someone I could see a couple of rounds of good action, but I don't expect this guy to stay in their with G long. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteYeah Reyes is funny... we all know what lil G can do... but lets dont sleep on nobody cause anything can happen... but i know lil G going to do what he do best and go to work on slim... so Reyes better be ready for lil G. Good Luck Lil G
ReplyDeletelil G will stop him in the first round.
ReplyDeleteLIL G wants to do some heavy damage on the guy. Lil G was fined $1,750 for being one lousy pound over the agreed weight limit of 126. This guy has did nothing in the professionals and never had one amateur fight. Lil G will KO this loud moth within 30 seconds. Don't Blink!
Did I hear weight issues again?
ReplyDeleteOne Pound sure gets costly.
Lil G will win regardless and may move up to 135 his next bout.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all Lenovo, you should make sure you have your facts right.
ReplyDeleteYou should check his record of his
amateur fights out. Antonio is not the chump you are trying to make him sound like. I think the only way for Russell to win is to knock him out. I just hope for a good clean fight.Someone that knows!!!!!!
Lil L, (Lenovo)Who's the loud mouth?Looks like you are!Reyes has never been nothing but a professional in the sport of boxing.And it seems 2 me lil g should stay away from the twinkies. lol It's called self control.Have you heard of it? I've personally have seen Reyes KO a guy 42 sec's in the 1st round at Golden Gloves with head gear and 16oz gloves and a guy he fought at state ended up in a coma. So get your facts straight Lil l after all Reyes is from NY originally so we want talk about his street fights. SO DON'T U BLINK!!!
ReplyDeleteAnotnio Reyes that Lil G is fighting is not the same Antonio Reyes from New York. Lil G is going to KO this sucker in round one. Reyes is a loud mouth chump who never did anything in the amateurs. His brother Airel talked him into turning pro because he used to get in fights all the time at Hanson High School. (Read the morning paper fool) The guy is a loud mouth bumb and he is going down. It would not have mattered if Gary was under weight instead of over. He KO's Reyes tonight in 1
ReplyDeleteTHEY DO NOT WEAR 16 OZ IN THE GOLDEN GLOVES. HE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WEAR 10 OZ. YOU MUST BE RETARDED> I JUST READ THE CLK SPORTS FROM TEXAS. REYES NEVER HAD ONE MATCH IN THE AMATEURS. HE IS GOING DOWN HARD. LIL GARY IS GOING TO MAKE A STATEMENT.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletelmao at spitbucket. Bro u all mixed up u got the wrong Antonio Reyes this one dont have a brother named Airel and didn't go to Hanson High School.
ReplyDeleteYou should watch what you say (are you saying they only put chumps in there to fight lil Gary)cause I wouldn't admit that. I don't think Showtime would spend all this money and air time to put a chump match together.I think they both are talented fighters and it will go the distance, cause they say the only way to stop Reyes is u have to ko him and I don't think that will happen.Looking forward to a good clean fight. God Bless all the fighter's tonight.
I think anonymous just made a innocent mistake about the glove size they do use both 10 oz & 12 oz in the amateurs.Looking forward to a awesome fight between these two and the co and main event.
ReplyDelete"Juggernaut-An overwhelming, advancing force that crushes everything in its path"
ReplyDeleteReyes is anything but funny, hes a pro. I hear Gary and his family are very polite nice people. He should teach his 'fans' how to act.
And FYI your research is crap Spit. Reyes IS from NY (being that I grew up with him there I can say this) and has no brother by that name. Hes a rare breed. Polite, educated, a good man and can back his shit up with a mean uppercut.
Good luck to Gary and the Juggernaut
One Pound sure gets costly.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but at a certain point, that $1,750 might be a real bargain compared to having to sweat off one more pound, depending on what it took to get down to just one pound over.
Take a look at Darnell Wilson's experience on The Contender, among the experiences of many other boxers.
Russell is fortunate to get a second chance at a nationally-televised intro to boxing. If he were to lose tonight, $1,750 will be the least of the financial consequences.
I heard that Reyes is a cool guy and I haven't heard anyone say one bad word against him or about him. I went to the Olympics and I would say that Reyes and Russel both have manners and are friendly guy's. Reyes is definitely not a loud mouth he and his family are good people and I've met Gary's family also and they seem like good people also.Don't make the sport any uglier than it has to be.We need more fighters like Reyes in the sport of boxing.Good luck to him.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Mr. Nicholson, There is too much dirt in sports these days. Lets keep it clean and just wish both
ReplyDeletefighters luck and that no one gets hurt. Good Luck Reyes and Russell.
Good job G. You did what you had to do and gave the people a show. This is a business and you definitely kept them wanting more. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteRussell for sure has some work to do. And Reyes put up a good fight.
ReplyDeletecongrats to Russell.man you did good r u gonna move up in weight since your having weight issues, i heard u were thinking moving up 2 135 to fight.
ReplyDeletethey said Reyes was sick and didn't do any sparring in preparation 4 the fight and was still sick n Oklahoma right before the fight but came out and fought anyway.props to Reyes 4 fighting sick and coming back out to fight even when you had a broken jaw u got the balls man.
TWO NICE GUY'S! THE MATCH WENT TO GARY RUSSELL (good job) BUT WITH THESE GUY'S YOU CAN BE BOTH NICE AND A FIGHTER.
ReplyDeleteI WOULD LIKE TO SEE A REMATCH IN THE FUTURE AND SEE REYES AT 100%.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU BOTH!
Lenovo, I don't know where you are getting your facts, but Gary came in on weight. You need to stop putting false information out about people.
ReplyDeleteGary was serious about his pro debut and it showed in the ring and at the weigh ins.
Check your facts before you post nonsense from now on.
Let me set the record straight for everyone...Gary Russell, Jr. was not OVERWEIGHT for that Jan.16th bout with A. Reyes...Gary Russell, Jr. was NOT fined $1750.00...there was not issues but a clean KO from Lil G! Somebody is puttin out false info. on Lil G...
ReplyDeleteIf you gonna leave comments PLEASE STATE FACTS!
Let me set the record straight for everyone...Gary Russell, Jr. was not OVERWEIGHT for that Jan.16th bout with A. Reyes...Gary Russell, Jr. was NOT fined $1750.00...there was not issues but a clean KO from Lil G! Somebody is puttin out false info. on Lil G...
ReplyDeleteIf you gonna leave comments PLEASE STATE FACTS!