In superb showing, Russell routs Valenzuela, wins WBA 140 title
Puello edges Martin to retain WBC 140 belt; Tellez outclasses 'J Rock' for interim 154 title; Hurd drops decision, announces retirement
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When Gary Antuanne Russell heard Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela say during fight week that he was nothing special Russell took it personally.
Valenzuela probably has a different opinion now after Russell battered and dominated him for the entire fight in a near-shutout decision to win the WBA junior welterweight title in the co-feature of the PBC on Prime Video PPV headlined by the Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach Jr. lightweight title bout on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Russell, who turned in a superb performance, won 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109 to bounce back from his first defeat as he added a second world title to the family, joining older brother and trainer Gary Russell Jr., the former WBC featherweight titleholder. Fight Freaks Unite had Russell winning 120-108.
“It motivated me a hell of a lot,” Russell said of Valenzuela’s nothing special remark. “In this sport you got to be dominant. You got to have a type of mentality that’s rough and he brought it out of me. I had the right dance partner in front of me and I’m glad he gave me the opportunity.”