Fate really doesn’t want Gary Russell Jr. to box very often.
The WBC Featherweight Champion’s second title defense, originally scheduled for March 11th, has been pushed back to some time in April after challenger Oscar Escandon suffered a back injury. When Russell finally steps into the ring, it will be for just the second time in over 24 months.
The rest of the card features/featured Jermell Charlo’s mandatory super welterweight title defense against Charles Hatley, bantamweight prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez against Omar Narvaez, and the professional debut of 2016 Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell.
Russell (27-1, 16 KO) has struggled with inactivity throughout his career, partially due to hands as fragile as they are quick. He knocked out Jhonny Gonzalez for his title in March of 2015, then stopped Patrick Hyland last April in his first defense.
Escandon (25-2, 17 KO) knocked out veteran Robinson Castellanos last May to earn the interim WBC title. His only losses are split decisions to current super bantamweight titlists Nehomar Cermeno and Moises Flores.
It’s a pretty damn good card, so here’s hoping they can cobble it back together.