Gary Antuanne Russell Makes 2016 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team
Boxer Gary Antuanne Russell of Capitol Heights, Md. won the 141-lb championship at U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday to secure a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, setting him up for a run at the podium at Rio 2016.
If it feels like we write about a lot of Gary Russells on this site, there’s a good reason. Gary Antuanne is the fifth of six boys named after their father, Gary Russell Sr., who coaches his brood at Enigma Boxing. He clearly knows what he is doing. Gary Antuanne is the youngest fighter in the family, since his younger brother Gary Isaiah is “the lone pacifist,” as our Sarah Deming put it in her profile of the family a couple years ago.
Antuanne is also the second Olympian in the family, following in the footsteps of his oldest brother Gary Russell Jr., now a top featherweight contender. Gary Russell Jr. made the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, but collapsed while trying to make weight before his first fight. Fortunately for the family, Antuanne will get a chance to redeem the Gary Russell name and bring home the DMV’s first boxing gold medal since Sugar Ray Leonard won in the same weight class in Montreal 1976.
Another brother, Gary Antonio Russell, 22, turned professional this year and has quickly amassed a record of 5-0 (4 KOs). Antonio also turned our heads when he floored gym-mate Joel Young with a devastating combination at the 2012 Washington Golden Gloves.
Gary Antuanne Russell photo by Bill Mackey
Like his brothers, Gary Antuanne Russell fights southpaw and is well-schooled in the Sweet Science, with excellent hand speed and technique. But he’s also bigger than his older brothers, and could potentially become a superstar if he makes a strong impression in Rio.
But Antuanne isn’t yet guaranteed a spot in the Olympic draw; first he must qualify internationally in one of three international tournaments, according to our friend Gary “Digital” Williams of Boxing Along The Beltway.
Given his background and pedigree, we wouldn’t bet against Antuanne making it to Brazil. If he does make it, expect live coverage of all his fights here on Stiff Jab. And congratulations to the young man, whose name may grow even more ubiquitous in the near feature.