Russell To Defend WBC Featherweight Title Against Martinez May 18th In Brooklyn!

Capitol Heights, MD featherweight and WBC Featherweight champion "Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. will make the fourth defense of his title when he faces former world champion Kiko "La Sensacion" Martinez of Alicante Comunidad Valenciana, Spain on Saturday, May 18th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.  The bout will be one of the featured bouts on the Deontay Wilder-Dominic Breazeale card and will be shown on Showtime.

Russell (29-1, 17 KO's) won his title in March of 2015 with a fourth-round TKO of Jhonny Gonzalez in Las Vegas, NV and has defended his title once a year since then.  In his last outing, Russell won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jo Jo Diaz on May 19th at MGM National Harbor Casino in Oxon Hill, MD.

Martinez (39-8-2, 28 KO's) is a former IBF Super Bantamweight champion who won that title with a sixth-round TKO victory over previously undefeated Jhonatan Romero in August of 2013 in Atlantic City, NJ.  Martinez would defend his title twice before dropping the belt to Carl Frampton in Belfast, Ireland in September of 2014.  Martinez has also competed for the WBA Featherweight championship losing to Leo Santa Cruz by fifth-round TKO in February of 2016 in Anaheim, CA.  Martinez is ranked third in the world by the WBC.

Here are some statements by the two boxers leading to this contest.

Russell, Jr.:  “I expect to send a message to everyone in or near my division that I’m a force to be reckoned with. I want to unify against Leo Santa Cruz and I’m going to do what I have to do to get there. I’m never going to take any opponent lightly and right now, it’s my job to take care of Kiko Martinez before I worry about anything else. On May 18 you should expect to see excitement, punching power, hand speed, fast combinations and a great level of boxing IQ. I’m the best in boxing today and I prove that every time I get in the ring.”

Martinez:   “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to win another world title and I’m thankful and excited for May 18. Gary Russell Jr is in for a rude awakening. I have a lot of experience and I feel great at featherweight. There will be nothing better than celebrating my 50th fight with a new world title.”