Featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. (29-1, 17 KOs) effectively defended his WBC title against the undefeated mandatory challenger Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday, May 19, 2018.
The bout was broadcast live on Showtime Championship Boxing from the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Russell Jr. took an assertive approach at the beginning, repeatedly jabbing Diaz’s head and body. Russell’s quick combinations kept Diaz on the defensive with a tight stance.
By the midpoint of Round 1, Diaz’s face displayed the impact of Russell’s precise shots. Although Diaz countered with a solid body hook, Russell’s speed and sharp jab secured him an easy victory in the round, scoring 10-9 for Russell.
In Round 2, Russell aggressively pressed Diaz, momentarily causing trouble for his opponent, who fought back valiantly, earning Russell’s respect. Vicious body shots from Russell took their toll, leading to an intense exchange of hard punches. Diaz demonstrated his determination, making the round a close call but ultimately scoring 10-9 for Diaz.
Russell continued his energetic punches in Round 3, but Diaz displayed improved resilience. Russell opted for close-quarter trading instead of moving around, keeping the fight intriguing. The round was awarded 10-9 for Russell.
In Round 4, Diaz found success with impactful body shots, prompting Russell to move backward defensively. Diaz worked hard on Russell’s body, making it a tough round to score, but Diaz ultimately earned a 10-9 victory.
Round 5 saw Russell landing cleaner shots, while Diaz pursued a strategy focused on body shots. Despite a late surge from Diaz, Russell claimed the round with a score of 10-9.
In Rounds 6 to 12, Russell consistently started strong, utilizing combinations and movement. Diaz, however, often saved his best efforts for the middle to end of each round. Russell’s work rate and intelligence in the later rounds contributed to his overall lead.
In the final rounds, both fighters showed signs of fatigue, but Russell Jr. maintained control with his jab. Diaz, while continuing to press forward, struggled to land effective shots. Diaz managed to pick up the pace in Round 10, scoring a 10-9 victory.
The championship rounds, especially Round 11, witnessed an intense exchange with both fighters giving their all. Although Diaz appeared to drop Russell with a body shot, it was ruled a slip. Diaz secured Round 11 with a score of 10-9.
The final round saw Diaz attempting to capitalize on body shots, seemingly scoring a knockdown that was called a slip by the referee. Despite Diaz’s efforts in the last round, Russell was declared the winner by unanimous decision, with scores of 115-113, 117-111, and 117-111 on the official cards.
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45 Comments
This was a good respectable fight.
Russell fought a smart hard fight, warrior style, got to love it
You can only watch this fight in slow motion!
Diaz got robbed for that knock-down 13:28
Boxing Master class
Gary literally punched his self out started way to quick even tho it was a 12 round fight was tired in the 2nd round and those hard body shots helped a million
Gary looked way to small to
Dam after those percentages Jo Jo lost? Lol crazy
Both fought well and represented the best in this sport🤼
Gud fight
Unreal cardio and skills
Both great fighters
Really clean fighters. ussel won, but I think the scoring should have been closer
This is trash, I guess punching gloves gives you points,Diaz connected way more.
This dude Gary is fast
Buena pelea grandes los 2 pero hay umperdedor ..
This was a really good fight. Pure skilll
This fight is similar to Charlo vs Benavidez Jr
Great fight! Unanimous decision? Naaa, it was a lot closer than that! 🤫
That's the reason you get your lower body in top condition because of Boxers like Diaz.
Both of these fighters put a better fight than any of the mayweather fights …
BS AGAIN! Diaz to big to thick for GRJ, he not ready for tank. That 2nd time he went down was a knockdown! BODY SHOT, FELL! SMH BS.
this is their job, they are hired
Gary Russel better than shakur Stevenson
Gary Russell Put On For The DMV, Way To Go Champ…
great fighters ! nothing like Haney ☹
And who Won? 😏
Diaz win
Puro show se la robaron al hispano
100 golpes al abdomen y el negro como si nada😮
If jojo had a jab he would have dominated
Gary Russell gotta come much better than this if he wants Tank
Now that was fight best I seen in a long time, good job fellas.
Gary Russell is 29-2 not 29-1 he lost against loma way back in 2014
Tremendos ganchos con mucho poder de díaz.
Clearly Diaz got robbed he landed the most power punches and clear punches and two knockdowns. The little dork ref didn’t count them.
Woow nice heavy body shots
Good fight 💪🏾
This fight is going to be same as tank davis vs lomachenko
In the first 7 rounds, I'm not sure how they have Russle up. Diaz was landing the better shots without a doubt
2:10
Yeah, but Diaz throwing 2-3 punches a week was not going to do the job. 😏😆
Hats off to Garry, pure bravado!. No hugging and holding bullshit.
Loma is Master ever boxing.
Frigging robbery, Diaz had him