Jose Valenzuela Ready for ‘A Lot of Action’ Against Gary Antuanne Russell in March

After a setback of two consecutive defeats, Jose Valenzuela of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico (14-2, 9 KOs) battled back to become the WBA junior welterweight champion.

Valenzuela, 25, will make his first title defense against Gary Antuanne Russell of Maryland (17-1, 17 KOs) in the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach co-main event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on March 1.

It’s a battle of southpaws looking to make a statement: Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela vs Gary Antuanne Russell.

“I’m excited to be back and keep my momentum going,” said Valenzuela during a virtual press conference. “I’m going to give the fans at the Barclays Center a great show. This is gonna be a clash. We’re both coming to fight, so make sure you tune in.”

Valenzuela’s Comeback Tour

“El Rayo” suffered his first loss after he was stopped in the third round by Edwin De Los Santos of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (16-2, 14 KOs) in September 2022.

Jose Valenzuela avenged his loss to Chris Colbert in style. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

It seemed Valenzuela would win his next fight in March 2023. He dropped former WBA interim super featherweight champion Chris Colbert of Brooklyn (17-3, 6 KOs) twice in the first round and outlanded him in power punches by 117-77. But he lost by a controversial narrow decision with all three scorecards of 95 – 94.

Seven months later, Valenzuela erased all doubt in the rematch as he knocked Colbert out cold with a hard right hook in the sixth round.

Valenzuela moved up from lightweight to challenge WBA junior welterweight champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz of Mexico City (26-3-1, 18 KOs) in  August. In a huge upset, the underdog used his height and reach advantage to outbox the defending champion and win his first world title.

Jose Valenzuela got an upset win over Issac Cruz in August. He will defend his title against Gary Antuanne Russell on the undercard of Davis vs Roach. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Valenzuela was awarded the split decision win. Two judges scored the fight 116-112 in his favor, while the third had it 115-113 for Cruz.

“It was a dream come true to become a world champion,” said Valenzuela. “Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is a great competitor. I just stuck to the game plan and stayed focused. I’m going to do the same thing March 1.”

Challenger Brings ‘Chip on His Shoulder’ Into Title Fight

Gary Antuanne Russell hopes to bounce back after his loss to Alberto Puello. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Russell, 28, looks to bounce back after a split decision loss to Alberto Puello of the Dominican Republic (23-0, 10 KOs) for the vacant WBC interim junior welterweight title last June. Russell fell short in his first shot for a world title in the lone loss of his career. One judge had him up 118-109, while the other two scored it 115-112 and 114-113 for Puello.

It was a momentum change for the 2016 U.S. Olympian, who had finished each of his previous opponents.

“I’m grateful to be back,” said Russell. “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.”

With several big names in the division, including WBO champion Teofimo Lopez of Brooklyn, WBC ‘champion in recess’ Devin Haney of San Francisco, and IBF champion Richardson Hitchins of Brooklyn, Russell hopes to position himself for bigger fights with a victory over Valenzuela.

“The way I see it, I have a shot at something that can catapult me to a great position,” said Russell. “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.”