BoztheMadman Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 (edited) This one looks very good on paper. Russell jr defending his WBC title against unbeaten Joseph Diaz. Your thoughts and predictions? Edited May 20, 2018 by LondonRingRules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cableaddict Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 Re: Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz Good fight! But Russel is getting kind of old for 126 lbs. And only 3 fights in the last 3 years? WTF? He may still have that great hand speed, (does he?) but surely his defense & footwork have slowed a little. I'd love to see him take this, but I suspect Diaz is going to own him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoztheMadman Posted May 15, 2018 Author Share Posted May 15, 2018 Re: Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz Good fight! But Russel is getting kind of old for 126 lbs. And only 3 fights in the last 3 years? WTF? He may still have that great hand speed, (does he?) but surely his defense & footwork have slowed a little. I'd love to see him take this, but I suspect Diaz is going to own him. Really? Diaz is that good?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cableaddict Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 (edited) Re: Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz Really? Diaz is that good?? I think he's extremely promising. A very subtle, relaxed approach which can be deceptive. Only avg hand speed, but LOVLEY body work (he never looks down when he fires). - And not just against Terazzas. He seems to have excellent power, despite his record. and puts lovely small combos together, including good feinting to open things up. He’s calm under pressure, and seems very aware in the ring, with excellent accuracy and very little wasted movement. He also has excellent defensive movement. (I don't think Cancio landed a single meaningful punch) He even has this move where he pulls his naval area back when attacked to the body. Head slips, lateral movement, the whole package. Just a really tough guy to hit cleanly. He actually reminds me of a prime Golovkin, though with a bit less power. Just relentless, calm, stalking pressure. Even when he's moving way, he's setting up his next attack. Gary Russel Jr will always be a sentimental favorite, of course, but I really think his prime is over. I think Diaz will likely frustrate him, wear him down, and capitalize on a mistake / opening late in the fight. Edited May 16, 2018 by Cableaddict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Re: Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz Joseph Diaz has steadily progressed. Very good fighter but going in as the underdog. Russell's lack of activity is going to hurt him at some point and I'm hoping it's this Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoztheMadman Posted May 16, 2018 Author Share Posted May 16, 2018 Re: Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz I don't know, Russell jr has been impressive since he became the champ...he has that amazing handspeed combined with power. If Diaz is as fast and if he hits hard enough, he can beat him. But he also has to be smart. :boxing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cableaddict Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 (edited) Re: Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz I just re-watched Russel vs Escondon (2017) and Gonzalez (2015) Yeah, different opponents can change a fighter's style slightly, but in 2017 Russel VERY different beast form 2015, and from his prime. Vs Escondon his once-lovely head movement was virtually gone. His hand speed was pretty much still there, I guess, but the defense and the lightning reflexes seem noticeably dulled. That could have been rings rust, or it could have been age creeping in, but either way, things can only be worse a year later, with no fight in between. I think we're in for a great battle, with a lot of fast, accurate action. - But I still think JoJo will likely have the defense to frustrate Russel. He's MILES better than Escondon. And the way Russel has been swinging for the fences in the last few years, I don't see how he can keep up that output for 12 rounds. He's gong to tire, and Diaz will likely capitalize on that. (If he doesn't get caught first) Possible FOTY in the making....... Edited May 17, 2018 by Cableaddict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sould664 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Re: Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz Think this will be a very entertaining fight and could go either way! Been following Russell JR for a while so hope he takes it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonRingRules Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Re: Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz ****SPOILER*** Russell wins in a semi close, non compelling fight in this sparse report. Boxing News: Russell beats Diaz to retain WBC 126lb belt - May 20, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoztheMadman Posted May 20, 2018 Author Share Posted May 20, 2018 Re: Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz I think Gary's talents are still big enough to carry him thru all that inactivity. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cableaddict Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 Re: [NOW CONTAINS SPOILERS] Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz Haven't seen the fight, but I'm glad Russel still has what it takes, though I'm surprised. I read that Diaz did in fact land some good body shots in the first half. Kudos to Russel for surviving that and (evidently) dominating the second half of the fight. Cant' find this fight anywhere. Anybody have a link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonRingRules Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 Re: [NOW CONTAINS SPOILERS] Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz --- Maybe find a new subdivision to watch the paint dry is yer best bet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javier_83 Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 Re: [NOW CONTAINS SPOILERS] Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz we have a lot of talent in this division!! hope we can see the fight bewteen Rusell and the winner of Santa Cruz vs Mares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cableaddict Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 Re: [NOW CONTAINS SPOILERS] Gary Russell vs Joseph Diaz --- Maybe find a new subdivision to watch the paint dry is yer best bet... Was it really that bad? I expected fireworks with those two guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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