Gonzalez vs Russell Jr.: Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

By Brian Mazique

Electrifying hand speed meets punishing punching power on Saturday night when WBC featherweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez (57-8, 48 KO) defends his title against "Mr." Gary Russell Jr. (25-1, 14 KO).

The two men will clash at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas in what has the makings of a stylistically superb battle. Gonzalez brings devastating one-punch KO power into the ring, but he'll have to deal with a man who may have the fastest combinations in the sport.

Here's the viewing information for the bout.

Date: Saturday, March 28 at 10 p.m. ET

TV: Showtime

Live Stream: BoxNation

Russell is a gifted fighter with the physical tools to dismantle most opponents. He found out in June 2014 that Vasyl Lomachenko was not most fighters. The ultra-skilled and athletic Ukrainian outboxed Russell en route to a majority decision win that awarded Lomachenko the vacant WBO featherweight title.

Russell and his camp had long been criticized for the fighter's less-than impressive resume. The doubters seemed to believe that when Russell met up with another talented young fighter, he'd be exposed.

The loss seemed to prove the skeptics correct. Russell had his moments against Lomachenko, but he seemed baffled once he realized that his speed alone wouldn't be enough to overwhelm his opponent. 

Throughout Russell's career, he's able to unleash a fierce set of punches and use his quickness to counter effectively. For the first time ever in his professional career, he lost. Since then, he won a lopsided unanimous decision over Christopher Martin in Dec. 2014.

In a relatively quick second opportunity at a world title, Russell says he'll be ready to come away victorious, per Andreas Hale of The Ring Magazine.

Russell blames the loss to Lomachenko on a lack of energy. The 26-year-old from Washington, D.C. believes the inclusion of a strength and conditioning coach disturbed his training regimen. Per Hale, Russell said this about the lesson he learned and what zapped his energy:

If I learned anything from that fight that is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. He [strength and conditioning coach] had me in the sauna trying to cut the last couple of pounds without working out or anything and it completely drained me of all my energy. I was completely tired in the first round and it didn’t matter if I was in the ring with a 10-year-old kid. In the state that I was in the physical ability to go 12 rounds with anyone was gone.

Whether it was Lomachenko's talent or Russell's lack of energy, "Mr." didn't get it done that night. With his battery recharged and a new opportunity to win a title in front of him, it's crucial he be at his best on Saturday.

You could compare Gonzalez to a power-hitting mistake hitter in baseball. If an opponent leaves Gonzalez an opening, he'll pound them with a nasty left hook counter that can end the night in a second.

Technically it'll take 10 seconds to count, but the victim will probably be unconscious for most of the time. Gonzalez has twice defended the title he won emphatically back in Aug. 2014 when he eradicated Abner Mares with his signature punch in the first round of their championship bout.

Mares is a tough guy with a solid chin, but Gonzalez's bomb put an end to the evening. Most recently, Gonzalez stopped the tough and rugged Jorge Arce in the 11th round of their bout on Oct. 2014.

Gonzalez is looking for a big payday, and he might find one if he can stop Russell Jr. 

Three Key Stats to Consider

Few fighters have a KO rate above 60 percent. Even fewer smaller-weight fighters have a KO percentage that high. Gonzalez packs a punch that is tough to compare to any other featherweight—or lightweight for that matter.

His KO percentage of 73.85 is even more impressive when you consider he has sustained that mark through 65 professional fights. 

Russell clearly understands how to win rounds. In his last three victories that have gone the distance, Russell has won every round on all nine judges' scorecards. The superior athleticism and hand speed make an impression on the judges and mark on his opponent's face.

The old adage in boxing goes: A strong jab can neutralize speed. Gonzalez has the physical tools to put this to the test. He owns a five-inch reach advantage over Russell. We'll see if the length advantage will allow Gonzalez to dominate with the jab.

Prediction

Speed kills and Russell has plenty of it. Clearly Gonzalez has more power, but the champion is going to be overmatched. Russell's hand and foot speed will be the deciding factors. As long as Russell protects himself and keeps his hands high—especially when disengaging after a clinch.

Gonzalez's length and punching power give him a chance, but Russell should be too tough to hit and counter with his scoring combinations. A flash knockdown is a possibility, but Russell should take this one by decision.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2409660-jhonny-gonzalez-vs-gary-russell-jr-time-date-live-stream-and-tv-info