Alan Dawson – London
American Boxing standout Gary Russell lived up to his reputation as one to watch as his swift fists, stinging eight-punch combinations and unrelenting aggression overcame overmatched Mexican featherweight Leonilo Miranda in a non-title, eight round contest at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Mississippi on Saturday, September 3. Russell outworked Miranda by a four to one ratio and landed 45 percent of his punches.
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Dawson’s scorecard
| Round |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
| Russell |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
- |
-
|
- |
- |
| Miranda |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Judges verdict: Unanimous decision to Gary Russell.
The headlining bout on the Mississippi card was dubbed the Battle in Biloxi but the chief support on the televised undercard, between Russell and Miranda was a battle of two kinds: between southpaws and of the jab. Russell, though, did not take long to declare his superiority as both his hand speed and combination work had Miranda backing up. Moments later, he caught the Mexican with uppercuts, hooks and straights.
In round two, it was clear Russell could panic his opponent when he trapped him against the ropes. In his attempt to score points, Miranda would dart into the inside, launch three-punch combos and motion back to the outside, however, Russell landed textbook double portside jabs. The left cross that was introduced by his right hand jab was also forceful.
Miranda had stopped 30 of the 35 opponents who he had fought prior to Russell but any power he had left the American unaffected. He simply didn’t respect it as he boxed his own, technically-classy, game. Miranda raised his guard and kept it stiff in order to prevent Russell’s shots sneaking through. But, when it came to offence, the 28-year-old from Sonora offered very little.
It took little time for Russell, in green trunks with white trim, to get to work in the fourth round as he pinned Miranda against the turnbuckle and bombarded the body. To compound Miranda’s problems, Russell moved into a higher gear as he enhanced his power and begin flurrying in six to eight punch combos. Each of the moves were all introduced with the jab and included bodywork.
In round five, Russell again punched in bunches and rose cheers from the Gulf of Mexico audience by stringing together eight punches in a matter of seconds in a single move. When Miranda attempted to crowd Russell, the American would simply pick his shots, land jabs and coast to a ten score. Miranda seemed loathe to let his fists go with the venom that his record warranted.
Russell almost secured a stoppage win when he pummeled Miranda with relentless shots without reply in the opening minute of the sixth round. Miranda was caught on the ropes, the referee took a closer look but the Mexican eventually moved away from the danger zone after taking countless shots. A cut had opened near Miranda’s right eye and Russell saw the round out with three-punch combos. Miranda returned to his blue corner breathing heavily and was blatantly deflated.
Russell forced Miranda’s head back with authoritative jabs in the seventh round. Russell sent a right hook to Miranda’s body and followed that up by locating his chin with his left fist. Russell was effectively toying with Miranda in what could have been a glorified sparring session as he was not marked, not cut, parried Miranda’s weakened shots with ease and flurried whenever he desired. He had the control… the ring was his.
Miranda planted his feet at the beginning of the eighth and final round as he covered up while Russell peppered him with a six-punch combo. Miranda attempted to throw back, but he had so little left in the tank that they had little snap to them and were easily blocked by Russell’s forearms. Russell, in contrast, was well conditioned and could have gone on to box a ten-rounder. Russell finished the round, and the contest, with Miranda pinned against the ropes taking relentless shots all over his body.
It was a dominant and impressive performance from Russell who had showcased exceptional talent and promise against Miranda, the only thing lacking was the knockout, however, the win was so good, his combination-work so awesome that it need not matter. With the win, Russell’s record was enhanced to 18-0-0, 10ko while Miranda’s resume had a further blemish on it – 32-4-0, 30ko.
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Tags: Boxing, Boxing After Dark, Featherweight, Gary Russell, Gary Russell Jr, HBO, Leonilo Miranda
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