'Hitman' Russell into WBC top 30

Kemahl 'Hitman' Russell, one of Jamaica's brightest prospects for another world title in boxing, made another step up the ladder on Friday, when he was elevated to No. 28 in the middleweight rankings, by the World Boxing Council (WBC), one of the major controlling bodies in the sport.

Russell, who is the Junior North American Boxing Federation (NABF) middleweight champion, last fought on March 16 here in Jamaica at the National Arena. That night, he successfully defended his title with a second round technical knockout victory over Mexican Michi Munoz.

It was an impressive performance that took his record to 13 wins and one loss. It undoubtedly was a factor in his breakthrough into the WBC top-30 rankings. Russell said that he was elated to have broken into the top 30 in his division worldwide, but regarded this as only a stepping stone.

"This, to me, is just the first step, and there is still a long way to go. My next goal is to break into the top 15, then the top-10, and, of course, I hope that before too long, I will be a world champion," Russell told The Gleaner.

"It only gets more difficult from now on," he continued. " As you set higher goals, you have to work harder to achieve them, and that is what I intend to do. I hope to fight again within the next two months as I have to keep busy, and unfortunately, I will have to shift my training to New York in the next few weeks.

"This is so because I cannot get the level and quality of sparring that I need here in Jamaica. I can run and do exercises, and the climate is beautiful for that, but good sparring partners at my weight are not easy to find here, so I have to travel."

Russell said that he has to get back into his schedule soon, with his chief trainer, Stephen Frank, in New York. "A lot of hard work is ahead, but I am ready for it. Becoming a world champion does not come easily, but I am prepared to put in the work" he added.