Gary Russell explains his intent making callout video with Jose Santa Cruz!
Over the weekend, “Mr” Gary Russell Jr (30-1, 18 KO’s) posted a uniquely direct and powerful callout to Leo “The Earthquake” Santa Cruz (36-1-1, 19 KO’s). In the video, which began looking like a hostage ransom as he is seen with Cruz’s father Jose Santa Cruz.
The segment opens with Russell draping his arm around the man’s shoulders and saying how much he likes his gold chains. When Gary Russell begins commanding Santa Cruz to stop ducking him, Jose Cruz gets up and walks off.
During the call out portion of the video Russell says a number of times that he can “put hands on him.” At another point in the video Russell says,
“stop acting like a sucka and come see me before I go get ya father!”
Most people interpreted this as a straight, undeniable threat. In fact, that is what a great deal of people did think! In the aftermath of the unexpected “call to action” several boxing fans and insiders took to social media to condemn what Russell posted on-line.
In a recent interview with Barbershop Conversations, Russell gives an explanation of his intent. Despite ogling Jose Santa Cruz’s chains like a seasoned stick-up kid and repeatedly threatening to put hands on his father, Russell insists that he meant no ill-will toward the former champion’s father.
“It’s clearly a lot of ignorant people out here in the world that is misconstruing what’s going on. You know what I’m saying? The fact, ain’t no one trying to do nothing to Leo Santa Cruz dad, not by a long shot, you know what I am saying? I actually respect the guy.
“Like I say for the record, people keep saying ignorant stuff slim. What I look like doing something to an old man? It doesn’t make sense, but if takes for me to walk in a dressing room and put my arm around Leo Sanat Cruz’ dad or put my arm around ya father for you to make a fight happen then I’m going to do so.”
On the one hand it is good that Russell has come out to clear the air, but at the same time the damage control session rings pretty hollow. If Santa Cruz were to reenact exactly what Mister did and said to Russell’s father or significant other it’s mighty hard to believe that it would be viewed as anything but a threat.
3kingsboxing will be sure to continue to cover this odd story and provide all the latest updates and developments.
By: Bakari Simpson
