02/26/2025
Photo Credit: The Russell Family
Boxing has more than one royal family.
From the Mayweathers to the Spinks brothers, generational greatness in the sport is rare but not unheard of. Yet few families have embodied the fight game like the Russells. Their name is synonymous with speed, skill, and an unshakable will to win.
Gary Antuanne Russell is the latest heir to this legacy, forged not just by victories in the ring but by resilience in the face of devastating personal losses. He is not merely fighting for championships—he is fighting to fulfill a prophecy set in motion by his late father and trainer, Gary Russell Sr.
Russell Sr. was more than just a boxing trainer; he was a pillar of the sport and the patriarch of the Russell dynasty. He passed away on May 23, 2022, at the age of 63, leaving behind a family of fighters built in his image. But even before his passing, tragedy had struck the Russell family more than once.
In 2004, Gary Antuanne’s older brother, Devaun Drayton, was murdered at just 17 years old. Then, in December 2020, another brother, Gary “Boosa” Russell, suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 25. Despite these tragedies, the Russells have remained unwavering in their mission to uphold their family name in the sport.
Photo Credit: The Russell Family
In an exclusive interview with Brunch Boxing, Gary Antuanne Russell gave a rare, emotional look at what his father meant to him:
“Oh, man. He was an enigma, but ultimately the best. He was the best. He was a person that embedded a lot into us spiritually, morally. When it came down to principles, he made sure that we were all standing firmly on those types of things. And he found a way to relate it to boxing.”
“We started from our basement. Two Olympians, a world champion, four national champions. We broke records. We made history. Through all of this chaotic environment, sometimes in the gym, he was able to channel himself back into being a full-fledged father. That’s the loving side, the caring side, making sure that we got a meal every night.”
Russell Sr.’s legacy as a father and coach is undeniable. He produced two Olympians—Gary Antuanne in 2016 and his older brother, former WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr., in 2008. It is Gary Jr. who has now taken over the family’s training duties, keeping their father’s teachings alive in the gym.
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Since his father’s passing, Gary Antuanne Russell has relied on his older brother to guide him through the toughest moments of his career. It’s an adjustment, but one that makes perfect sense in a family where boxing knowledge is passed down like an heirloom.
Russell spoke about the transition to having Gary Jr. as his head trainer:
“It’s been smoother because I don’t have to do it with a stranger. The edifying is definitely teaching that comes from homegrown methods from my father. It’s been passed down. So it’s easy for me to take heed to it versus a stranger telling me something to do and it’s something that I never heard, never tried, and I’m just being open-minded. It’s a different type of comfort.”
That comfort was put to the test in his toughest moment as a pro.
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
In June, Gary Antuanne Russell stepped into the ring against Alberto Puello for the Interim WBC Junior Welterweight Championship. It was the biggest fight of his career, a chance to move one step closer to the family’s next world title.
He fought hard, but in the end, Puello edged him out by split decision, handing him the first loss of his career. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but one that has fueled his hunger even more.
Russell is now set to return on March 1 with an opportunity to make things right. He will challenge Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela for the WBA Junior Welterweight Championship at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Not everyone believes Russell deserves another title shot so soon after his loss to Puello. But in boxing, redemption often comes quicker than expected. Russell knows that March 1 is more than just another fight—it’s a statement.
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Speaking to the media ahead of the fight, he made his intentions clear:
“I have a chip on my shoulder and I’m definitely coming to steal the show on March 1 in Brooklyn.”
“I’m coming in there with a chip on my shoulder because of the loss. I want to prove something in every fight, but this fight I have to do even more. I don’t want to just be mediocre. I have to make a statement.”
“I’m grateful to be back. Listening to Alberto Puello really makes me want another shot at him, but first I know I can’t overlook ‘Rayo’. He’s a great fighter and I know he’ll come in with a strong game plan. It’ll come down to who is able to overcome adversity.”
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Russell recognizes that bouncing back from a loss is what separates good fighters from great ones.
“The way I see it, I have a shot at something that can catapult me to a great position. I already see myself as an elite fighter. I took my loss on the chin. It’s all about how you bounce back. That’s what defines a true champion.”
He also acknowledges that Valenzuela presents a different challenge than Puello did:
“Valenzuela will force me to use some different movement than what I had to use against Puello. I don’t know if Valenzuela has a more suitable style, but he has a style that will make the fight more entertaining than against Puello.”
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
The Russell name carries weight in boxing. Gary Antuanne Russell isn’t just fighting for himself—he’s fighting to keep his family’s legacy alive. His father, his late brothers, and his living ones all play a role in shaping his destiny.
If he wins, Gary Antuanne Russell will have taken a massive step toward fulfilling his father’s prophecy. If he loses, he’ll have to answer even more questions about whether he can live up to the expectations set before him.
Photo Credit: The Russell Family
One thing is for sure—when he steps into the ring at Barclays Center, he won’t just be carrying his own ambitions. He’ll be carrying the weight of a dynasty.
The March 1 fight against Valenzuela is more than just a title shot. It’s an opportunity to remind the world that the Russells are still here, still fighting, and still chasing greatness.
On March 1, the message for Russell is clear: Finish. The. Story.
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