Six months after he pulled off a sensational win over Isaac Cruz, Jose Valenzuela will step into the ring for his first title defense. And to prevent him from doing so, from Capitol Heights, Maryland, Gary Antuanne Russell will join. The high-octane light welterweight duel will take place on the PBC-Amazon card headlined by Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr.

For Valenzuela, a win remains critical. Following the losses to Edwin De Los Santos and Chris Colbert, only sheer grit and determination helped him put his career back on track. Now he has to prove the win over heavy-hitting ‘Pitbull’ Cruz wasn’t a mere fluke. But he faces a daunting challenge. Just a month before the Valenzuela-Cruz match, Antuanne Russell suffered his first career loss to reigning champion Alberto Puello. But unlike Valenzuela, on a cruise control, the scion of a well-established boxing family is on the ropes. High chances Antuanne Russell will put in his all to notch up a win. So how do they measure up against each other? Let’s check a few details.

Predicting Jose Valenzuela vs. Gary Antuanne Russell: Who has better stats and record?

A close perusal of the records reveals both Valenzuela and Antuanne Russell started their careers around the same time. Making his debut on May 20, 2017, Antuanne Russell started roughly a year earlier. During the last seven years, he participated in 18 professional fights, emerging as the winner in 17. With all of his fights secured through early stoppage, Antuanne Russell belongs to the exclusive 100% KO rate club.

On the other hand, beginning his career in September 2018, Jose ‘El Rayo’ Valenzuela has thus far faced sixteen opponents. Outside of the two losses to Colbert and De Los Santos, he secured victories in 14 duels, of which 9 were knockouts. His knockout-to-win rate remains at a competitive 64%.

Valenzuela and Antuanne Russell’s height, weight, reach comparison, and more

Even when it comes to physical stats, both Valenzuela and Antuanne Russell appear to be on equal footing. Both fighters record a height of 5 feet and ten inches or 178 centimeters. As far as the reach is concerned, Sinaloa-born ‘El Rayo’ seems to enjoy a slight edge. Against his 70 inches or 178 centimeters, Antuanne Russell registers a 69 inches or 175 centimeters reach.

The final weigh-ins of the event are yet to take place. However, a quick review of their weights during the last fights might give some clue. Ahead of the ‘Pitbull’ Cruz fight, Jose Valenzuela weighed 139.8 pounds. On the other hand, Gary Antuanne Russell tipped the scales at 138.2 pounds.

Prediction

Be it records or physical stats, both Jose Valenzuela and Gary Antuanne Russell appear to be evenly matched. No wonder if the fight evolves into a battle between the equals. One of those fights where it’s a nightmare for the oddsmakers to make a pick. Which way will the match eventually tilt?

Nevertheless, based on available reports, it appears that with -110 odds backing him to win, Jose Valenzuela has a 51% chance of winning. But the challenger, Gary Antuanne Russell, isn’t far away. Though he storms in as a +100 underdog, he boasts a 49% chance of emerging triumphant.

Fans may not witness a stylistic contrast either. Both Valenzuela and Russell are southpaws known to follow an aggressive approach. However, under ‘2024 Trainer of the Year’ Award recipient Robert Garcia, Jose Valenzuela has shown vast improvement in his game.

But how much of his slick fighting will withstand Antuanne Russell’s relentless charge? Remember, against ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, Valenzuela barely managed a split decision win. So in all likelihood, fans may witness a similar turnaround for the WBA light welterweight title match on Saturday night.

Our prediction: Jose Valenzuela retaining his title through yet another split decision.

What about you? Do you think Gary Antuanne Russell will finally fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion?