Gary Antuanne Russell crowned new WBA super lightweight champion with breakthrough performance

Jose Valenzuela made it clear that he thought Gary Antuanne Russell wasn't in the same league as him.

Russell used the slight as motivation to dominate Valenzuela toward becoming the new WBA super lightweight world champion Saturday night. Judges inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York scored it 119-109, 119-109 and 120-108 toward a unanimous decision victory for Russell in a breakthrough performance dedicated to his late father.

Simply put: Russell put on a boxing masterclass and was head and shoulders superior to Valenzuela in pitching the near shutout which had him landing a personal-high 252 punches and throwing a whopping 957 punches.

From the opening bell, it was evident that Russell's hand speed was too advanced for Valenzuela who fell victim to a double jab, which quickly became furious combinations that "Rayo" did not have any answers for.

Russell especially poured it on during the ninth round where he threatened a stoppage, using his full arsenal.

Valenzuela was battered badly to the point where he needed doctor's clearance just to enter the 12th round where he fought valiantly but was outpointed once again by Russell who not only became world champion in a one-sided affair but instantly sent a blaring message to the rest of the field at 140 pounds including fellow champions Teofimo Lopez, Richardson Hitchins and Alberto Puello.

For Russell (18-1, 17 KOs), the victory was especially sweet as he rebounded admirably from suffering his first pro loss last year.