Gary Antonio Russell: Fights on for his late brother

When southpaw Gary Antonio Russell enters the ring opposite former IBF bantamweight champion Emmanuel Rodrigruez on Saturday at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, he will do so with a heavy heart.

Russell (18-0, 12 KOs) faces Rodriguez (19-2, 12 KOs) of Puerto Rico for the WBA’s interim 118-pound title in a clash representing the boxer-puncher’s second outing since the mid-December passing of 26-year-old brother, Gary Darreke, from a heart attack.

"When you fall on your knees, you bleed, but, eventually, it scabs up and the injury goes away. But from the moment he passed, it has seemed like every day it’s so fresh,” said Russell, a 28-year-old southpaw.

“There are days when his death is affecting me like it only happened just yesterday or even a few moments ago. You feel numb. Some days are better than others, but it’s always a challenge.”

But Russell won’t be alone against Rodriguez, whom he battles on the undercard of Cuban two-division title winner Guillermo Rigondeaux challenging WBO bantamweight counterpart John Riel Casimero of the Philippines on a Premier Boxing Champions broadcast on Showtime (10 pm. ET/7 p.m. PT).

Antonio’s corner comprises father and trainer, Gary Sr., as well as siblings, WBC 126-pound champion Gary “Mr.” Russell Jr., 33, and assistant trainer, Gary Allan III, 30. Also in attendance will be undefeated 25-year-old sibling, Gary Antuanne, a 140-pound prospect.

“[Boosa] was my closest brother right under me in the order,” said Antonio, the third-oldest of six brothers of Capitol Heights, Maryland, all of whom are southpaws named after Gary Sr. and birthed by Lawan Russell.

“All of my fights are important to my fans and my people. That’s how I provide stability for my daughters and for my family in general. My opponents are never just fighting me. I draw energy from my Dad and my brothers, all of which goes into the ring. This fight is not only for [Boosa,] but also for a lot more.”

“Boosa” died within 10 days of Russell’s last fight, a six-round technical decision victory over left-handed former WBA bantamweight champion Juan Carlos Payano. Russell-Payano ended a 10-month ring absence since his sixth-round disqualification victory over Jesus Martinez in February 2020.

Russell led by scores of 59-55, twice, and, 58-56 when their bout was halted due to a deep gash over Payano’s eye that was ruled to have been caused by an accidental head butt.

“I landed a hook that split his eye, so the cut was from that, but I was fighting Payano within days of when we were dealing with a family loss, so I wasn’t really focused. Mentally, I was somewhere else, but for this fight against Rodriguez, I’m in a great space,” said Russell, a slender 5-foot-6 puncher-boxer.

"Rodriguez is an ex-champion, the biggest name and possibly the best guy I’ve faced as of yet, and I am expecting a tough fight. But that doesn’t mean he will be my most difficult opponent. If we execute our game plan, then it shouldn’t be difficult at all."

Russell vows to be more focused for the 29-year-old Rodriguez, who was 19-0 before losing his past two bouts and by second-round knockout to Naoya Inoue in May 2019 and split-decision to Reymart Gaballo in December.

Floored three times and dethroned as IBF champion by Inoue, Rodriguez fought twice in 2018, earning the vacant crown by unanimous decision over Paul Butler in May and defending it by split-decision over previously unbeaten Jason Maloney in October.

“Rodriguez is a challenge because he’s a seasoned, former champion who knows his way around the ring and has been in there with monsters,” said Gary Jr., nicknamed, “Mr.” Russell. “Rodriguez is a good boxer who carries some pop [in his punches,] but Antonio’s in a better place, mentally, than he was for the Payano fight. He’s entering every fight from now on with a chip on his shoulder.”

Nicknamed “Another” Russell, Antonio and his brothers were trained in their basement by Gary Sr., a former boxer who now does so in the family-owned Enigma Boxing Gym in Capitol Heights. Antonio, Allan, “Gary Jr. and Gary Antuanne “The Last” all won National Golden Gloves titles. Gary Jr. and Antuanne reached the Olympic games in 2008 and 2016, respectively.

The trio has twice fought on the same cards within a 364-day period in May 2017 and 2018, at the MGM Grand National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. All three won impressively within proximity of Gary Sr.’s 58th and 59th birthdays.

"[Boosa] was always there on those occasions, and, honestly, I still struggle with it every day," said Antonio. "When you’ve lived with someone all of your life, and then, they’re just gone and you have to deal with it, it’s an everyday challenge."

The family honored Gary Darreke during a July 24 block party attended by friends during which the neighborhood’s Omaha Street was officially renamed, “Boosa Street.”

Antonio spent some of “Boosa’s” dedication day braiding the hair of his daughters, Nylah-Love, 9, and Geniya, 7, using the same hands he employs to learn sign language.

“I’m self-taught,” said Russell of his braiding and signing skills. “I slow down on [the sign language] during training camp, but it’s a different way to reach out to my fans who are hearing impaired.”

Antonio’s signing skills have an altruistic origin, he revealed during a recent podcast on the PBC website.

“I was in a gas station and this girl was trying to order something, but everybody was laughing at her. Then I noticed that she was deaf. I asked her, ‘Are you deaf?’ And she said, ‘Yes.’ So I said, ‘Well how can I help you?’ From that moment, I was like, ‘Dang, the language barrier really stops people from talking to one another,” said Antonio, who is working on a clothing line for a deaf friend.

“So I started texting her and she started telling me to watch some movies to learn how to sign. I watched this movie called, ‘The Shape Of Water.’ I kept watching that movie over and over. So I just continued to go on from there, reading books and watching videos. The sign language has just stuck with me.”

But Antonio’s gloved fists are dangerous in the ring.

Jose Maria Cardenas was 16-3 (13 KOs) before suffering a sixth-round TKO loss to Russell in March 2019, representing “Another’s” sixth stoppage victory and 11th knockout at 13-0.

Antonio fought thrice more in 2019 comprising a six-round technical decision over Saul Eduardo Hernandez (May), a 10-round unanimous decision over Francisco Javier Pedroza (July) and a first-round TKO of Samuel Gutierrez (November).

“Antonio’s got exceptional punching power,” said Gary Sr. “He’s a guy who can get you out of there with either of his hands.”

Gary Jr. expects to see an improved Antonio against Rodriguez.

“Antonio’s hungry and going into every fight now with a chip on his shoulder,” said Gary Jr. “If Rodriguez tries to bully Antonio, I see Antonio hitting and hurting him with debilitating, one-punch power.”

"Boosa’s" spirit will be with Antonio on Saturday.

"When I wake up in the morning, the first person I think of is my younger brother,” said Antonio. “I understand that I still have a job to do, a mission to complete, and he wouldn’t want me to hold back."