Gary Antuanne Russell Unconcerned with Richardson Hitchins!
At the moment, there could be a budding rivalry brewing between super lightweight fighters Gary Antuanne Russell (17-0, 17 KO’s) and Richardson Hitchins (17-0, 7 KO’s). Upon hearing Hitchins, 26, didn’t think his style had advanced very much since the amateurs, Russell naturally felt a way about it. So, when presented with the information, Russell, 27, supplied Mill City Boxing with a piece of his mind on the topic.
“Man, he came up to the gym and didn’t even want to work with me. I’m going to throw that out there, I don’t know what he is talking about. It’s different levels to this sport. And a lot of people don’t know what type of fire they are hopping into until they get burnt! It’s just that simple. I understand where he is coming from, but he got it twisted.”
“I ain’t called nobody out, but if you are in my way while I am trying to get to my destination, then you a victim, just another victim. And it better make sense because you don’t even make sense, I’m on the up and up, I’m not fighting down – for what?! You behind me, you got to get to where I’m at!”
DON’T SLEEP ON ME!
For fight fans, a functional grudge between these combatants could be just what the doctor ordered. To begin, both are very gifted athletes and have already fought one another prior to turning pro. Hitchins, currently ranked #4 (WBO) and #4 (IBF), totes a sterling amateur career having twice won the Golden Gloves and represented Haiti in the 2016 Olympics.
His potential opponent, Russell, younger brother to former WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr., is no slouch himself. Aside from hailing from the famous fighting Russell clan, Gary Antuanne Rusell also possesses a stellar amateur career and has stopped every professional opponent he’s fought. Therefore, there should be little confusion as to why Russell, ranked #2 (WBC) and #14 (WBO), felt a bit incredulous upon hearing Hitchins’ assessment.
WHAT YOU GONNA DO?!
Given the mechanics of modern boxing, the odds lean toward the powers that be wanting to ‘build’ this fight into a grander event. For the boxing public however, this duel is a terrific and significant scrap right now. In a perfect world though, this is a fun and intriguing prizefight that could come our way in 2024. It is dangerous though.
Back on December 17, 2022, Frank Martin and Michel Rivera opted to put their undefeated records on the line before ‘the business of boxing’ suggested they should. On that night, Martin battered, out-boxed, defeated and advanced past Rivera with a new acclaim on his name. Across the ring, Rivera’s reputation was shot up like a John Wick extra. The same could transpire if Russell and Hitchins clash. Or maybe, they’ll leave the boxing world divided like Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko did.
So, as always, we’ll just have to sit back to see what the business of boxing ultimately provides us. Thankfully, no matter what the outcome, 3Kings Boxing will be here to report the aftermath!
