Error code: %{errorCode}
Jose Valenzuela vs. Gary Antuanne Russell: Who has the edge going into the fight?
It will be a pivotal bout in both fighters’ careers Saturday night when Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (14-2, 9 knockouts) puts his WBA super lightweight world title on the line against Gary Antuanne Russell (17-1, 17 KOs) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, the bout will serve as the co-feature to the card’s headliner: Gervonta “Tank” Davis taking on Lamont Roach.
With so much riding on this fight, DAZN News weighs in on who has the edge between Valenzuela and Russell.
Boxing skills
Jose Valenzuela dealt with immense pressure from Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz last August and handled it in the form of a split-decision victory that made him the new WBA super lightweight world champion.
Valenzuela secured the victory by using plenty of his sweet science skills, whether it meant keeping “Pitbull” on a short leash with the jab, timing and piecing together body to head combinations and flat out slugging it out.
He might need to use all of his boxing skills and more against a Gary Antuanne Russell who pressures effectively and has a more diverse punch cabinet to draw from than Cruz. Russell holds amateur wins over the likes of Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Richardson Hitchins — both of whom are current world champions.
Valenzuela handled pressure the pressure against Cruz well. Now, the question is can he do it against another pressure fighter in Russell who is a more well-rounded boxer?
The slight edge goes to the champ.
Edge: Valenzuela
Power
(Rey Del Rio/Premier Boxing Champions)
Valenzuela can sit on his punches and unload power shots when needed. Francisco Vargas and Chris Colbert found that out, falling at the hands of “Rayo” by pulverizing knockouts.
But when it comes to power, Russell has the edge as 17 of his 18 pro fights have ended in a stoppage victory for a knockout ratio of 94 percent.
If he catches a rangy Valenzuela with a timed power shot, it could be lights out.
Edge: Russell
Mental warfare
Navigating through the urgency that each of these fighters will carry into this bout is going to be crucial.
Valenzuela knows that a win could mark his lift-off to bigger fights as Teofimo Lopez and Richardson Hitchins are world champions in the same division and there could even be a possibility for a shot at Gervonta Davis. Any of these fights would include a life-changing purse.
On the other hand, Russell suffered his first pro loss last June in a split-decision defeat at the hands of Alberto Puello, who became the new WBC super lightweight champion. Russell cannot afford to lose a second straight world title fight. That would mark a major setback.
This category is super close with Russell just edging Valenzuela out.
Edge: Russell
Who has the edge in Valenzuela vs. Russell?
On paper, this is about as close to a 50-50 fight that fans could get.
Both Valenzuela and Russell have considerable boxing skills, noted power and the urgency for each is pivotal.
The immediate need for a statement victory to become world champion gives Russell the slightest edge heading into this world championship fight, 2-1.
