Mexican Jhonny González will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight title for the third time when he faces American left-hander Gary Russell Jr., in Las Vegas (Nevada).
González first won the crown in 2011 in Atlantic City. After defending the belt three times, he lost the belt in 2012 when an accidental header ended his fight against Daniel Ponce de León in Las Vegas in the eighth round.
The Pachuca fighter regained the crown in 2013 with a victory over compatriot Abner Mares, in Los Angeles.
Now, after two successful defenses in Mexico, González is back in Las Vegas looking for his sixth straight win against another opponent trying to dethrone him.
“I’m very excited to be back in the United States,” said Gonzalez, 33, with a record of 57 wins, 48 of them by knockout, and only eight losses.
“Every time I have fought on American soil, it has been the fight that has changed my career. Now I’m back and once I face a tough opponent, “he said.
Russell is not an easy test, but I’m sure I’m going to surprise everyone one more time. Nobody thought I had a chance in 2013 and I stripped Mares of his title, “he said.
The Mexican will defend his girdle in the middle of a controversy with his former promoter Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), of Oscar de la Hoya, who presented him with a lawsuit this Friday in a Los Angeles court for breach of contract.
González will start with a height and reach advantage over Russell (25-1, 14 kos) and seven years younger than the Mexican champion.
Russell, the United States representative at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, was defeated last June in a fight for the crown of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) against the Ukrainian left-hander Vasyl Lomachenko.
Six months later, he won a 10-round unanimous decision over American Chris Martin, which opened his way to the gates of the title.
“We are 120% ready for this fight. We are ready. We are focused. We are determined. I’m sure what we put into the fight is going to be enough to win, “said Russell.