Lamont Roach Jr. made it clear this week that he has no interest in facing former featherweight titlist Gary Russell Jr., who returned in July with a tune-up stoppage of Hugo Castaneda after three-and-a-half years out.
Roach, 29, dismissed the older Russell’s public challenge on X, pointing out that he is coming off a disputed draw with Gervonta Davis at lightweight and sees little value in meeting a 37-year-old who “just had his first fight in 3.5 years.”
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Instead, the WBA 130-lb titleholder says the only Russell he would entertain is Gary Antuanne Russell, the unbeaten WBA super-lightweight champion. Roach wrote that a bout with Antuanne makes competitive sense, whereas Gary Russell Jr. “can beat it.”
Gary Russell Jr., who scaled 131.5 lbs for his comeback, fired back on social media, branding Roach “scared” and insisting “it’s levels for a reason.”
Roach is awaiting a new date for his rematch with Davis after their March draw; the August 16 target fell through before Davis’ recent arrest.
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