‘Hitman’ Russell returns to the ring tonight in Canada
Kemahl ‘Hitman’ Russell, once a rising star in Jamaica’s boxing firmament, returns to the ring tonight in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, when he takes on Marcos Jesus Cornejo from Argentina, in a super-middleweight eight-round contest that is part of a six-fight card being promoted by United Boxing Promotions, and takes place at the Pickering Casino and Resort.
Another Jamaican boxer, heavyweight Ricardo ‘Big 12’ Brown, will also be on the card. He has a six-round contest against Mexican fighter Jesus Angel Nerios, over six rounds. The headline fight matches Canadian boxing super welterweight Brandon Cook against Argentina’s Gino Natalio Godoy.
The fights involving the Jamaicans are being keenly watched because of their significance to both boxers. Russell, who was thought to be of world title fight calibre five years ago, suffered a setback when he had to have eye surgery. At that time, he had a 13-1 record and had just come off a spectacular victory over Michi Munoz of Mexico, in defence of his NABF middleweight title on March 16, 2018.
After five years, he has now been cleared to return to the ring and has to fight his way back to contender status. He told The Gleaner yesterday that he had a good training camp under the watchful guidance of experienced Jamaican-Canadian trainer Robert Grant, who he says has been a tower of strength to him. He concedes that this is an important first step back to the top for him, but he is well prepared physically and mentally.
“I am ready to go,” Russell said.
EXPERIENCED
His opponent is experienced and has a 19-6 record, with 18 of these victories inside the distance. This would indicate that he likes to take the fight to his opponent, and that Russell will quite likely have to overcome an early period of aggression. He said yesterday that he intends to “fight smart”, and that could be his key to victory.
‘Big 12’ Brown, who has had only six fights, will be up against a very experienced opponent. Nerios, who has been boxing as a pro since 2006 and has a record of 15 wins, 10 losses and a draw, came in as a late substitute for Jhan Carlo Delgado, who had visa problems.
“I am fighting the man, not his record, and when we get into the ring we will see what he has,” Brown told The Gleaner.
He said that he is well prepared, has been working on his jab, which he intends to use a lot, and at 260 pounds will be “fighting fit”. He oozed confidence and said that he is looking forward to the battle.