Gary Antuanne Russell Snatches WBA Belt From Jose Valenzuela

Gary Antuanne Russell produced a statement-making performance, completely outclassing Jose Valenzuela to claim the WBA super lightweight title in a one-sided contest. The unbeaten southpaw’s relentless aggression, sharp combinations, and superior ring IQ left Valenzuela with no answers, as Russell controlled every round en route to a dominant unanimous decision victory. Judges Tom Schreck (120-108), Benoit Roussel (119-109) and Max De Luca (119-109), all saw the fight as a near-shutout in Russell’s favour, confirming what was evident from the opening bell—Valenzuela was outmatched.

Russell, now 18-0 (18 KOs), made his intentions clear from the start, stepping forward behind a fast jab and unloading crisp left hands. His superior hand speed and footwork kept Valenzuela on the defensive, unable to establish any meaningful offence. Whenever Valenzuela tried to engage, Russell responded with sharper, more precise combinations that kept his opponent off balance. The pattern continued round after round, with Valenzuela absorbing punishment and offering little in return.

As the fight progressed, it became clear that Russell was coasting toward a landslide victory. Valenzuela showed toughness but could never change the course of the fight, as Russell picked his shots and dictated the pace with complete authority. Despite his history as a heavy-handed puncher, Valenzuela never landed anything that troubled Russell, who remained composed and disciplined while maintaining a high work rate. By the final rounds, the outcome was all but decided, with Russell continuing to outland his opponent while avoiding unnecessary risks.

After the final bell, Russell was crowned the new WBA super lightweight champion, fulfilling a goal he had long envisioned. After the fight, he dedicated the victory to his late father, whose influence had shaped his career alongside his well-known boxing family. With this dominant win, Russell claimed his first world title and sent a clear message to the rest of the 140-pound division. Bigger fights await, with potential unification and marquee matchups on the horizon. Valenzuela, who dropped to 14-3 (9 KOs), must regroup after being thoroughly outclassed. At the same time, Russell’s future looks brighter than ever as he enters the elite ranks of the super lightweight division.