Gary Russell Jr is a proven champion that will get the opportunity to defend his title belt in front of his hometown fans in a World Boxing Council Featherweight championship fight against challenger Joseph Diaz Jr. Russell is one of the most respected and highly acclaimed fighters in this current era with an impressive record of dominance at the championship level. Joseph Diaz Jr on the other hand is an up and coming aspiring contender with an unblemished record, though against lesser competition. Diaz now has the opportunity of a lifetime as well as the ultimate measuring stick of where he actually stands in the fight game.
Let’s take a look at the boxing odds at BookMaker.eu, break down the matchup and go over your betting options.
Boxing Odds at BookMaker.eu
Joseph Diaz Jr – Check Back Later
Gary Russell Jr – Check Back Later
Over/under rounds - Check Back Later
The bout between Joseph Diaz Jr and Gary Russell will take place on May 19, 2018 at MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland. The fight will be aired on Showtime and is scheduled for 12 rounds. The winner will get the World Boxing Council featherweight title belt.
Fight Preview
Joseph Diaz Jr has a career record of 26-0 and has earned 14 knockout wins in that span. He is currently ranked eighth in the world. Also known as “Jo Jo” Diaz is a native of South El Monte, California and currently resides in Downey, CA. The 5’ 6” tall Diaz has a reach of 64 inches and fights from a southpaw stance. Diaz competed in the 2012 Olympics as a Bantamweight. He is the current North American Boxing Federation Featherweight champion. A former baseball player, Diaz took up boxing in an effort to learn self-defense. He is coached by his dad. Diaz won is opening Olympic bout but lost in his second fight that followed. Diaz has been a pro since 2012 and has twice defended his NABF Featherweight title successfully.
Gary Russell Jr is 29 years of age and has a career record of 28-1. He is currently ranked third in the world. Of his 28 wins a total of 17 have come by knockout. Russell stands at 5’ 4 ½” tall with a reach of 64 inches and fights from a southpaw stance. Russell is a native of Capitol Heights, Maryland and now resides in nearby Washington DC. Russell has held the World Boxing Council Featherweight title since 2015 and was a bronze medal winner in the Bantamweight division of the 2005 World Championships. Ring Magazine proclaimed Russell the 2011 Prospect of the Year. Sports Illustrated and ESPN did so as well.
At the age of 16 Russell was well on his way to stardom when as an amateur he won the US Championship sand the Golden Gloves in 2005. Adding to the accomplishment was the fact that Russell became only the second boxer in history to win both the US Championships and the National Golden Gloves before his 17th birthday. He repeated as US champion in 2006. Russell made the US Olympic Team but was not able to make the weight in due to losing consciousness in his Olympic Village dorm room.
Russell is as well known for his only professional loss as he is for being a champion. Vasyl Lomachenko scored a majority decision win over Russell for the World Boxing Organization Featherweight title in 2014. It was the last time Russell ever lost a fight.
Boxing Betting Tips
Joseph Diaz Jr has the look of an eventual potential champion. But Gary Russell Jr is a proven commodity and a major step up in class for Diaz. Someday but not now is the look of this bout. Russell should prevail.
Boxing Odds Pick: Gary Russell Jr
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With the boxing odds at BookMaker Sportsbook, you can bet on boxing all year, from smaller cards to pay-per-view events. Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook. Joseph Diaz Jr vs. Gary Russell Jr takes place on May 19, 2018 at MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland. The fight can be seen on Showtime.
