One of the hotter prospects in boxing currently, without a doubt, is Gary Russell Jr. Obviously with success, comes opportunity. The latest opportunity presented to Gary has been the chance to sign with 50 Cent and his SMS Promotions. However, it appears that he and his team have no interest in going that direction.
“Over the last few days, we’ve been getting a number of phone calls from 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions. They want us to sign with their camp. I don’t have anything against his team; but we are not interested…I’m not interested,” Russell said. “Like I’ve said before Team Russell is not signed to any promotions team. I have a manager, Al Haymon, and he is the only person I’m signed with.”
Russell’s team, led by his father, Gary Russell Sr., considers boxing much in the same way that they consider family. You stick together and remain loyal.
“Growing up with all brothers, our father taught us a long time ago that loyalty is important. I feel the same way about my relationship with Al. We consider him a part of our boxing family. Al has been a big part of my career and things are going smooth. Our working relationship with Golden Boy Promotions has also been great,” Russell said. “We would not sign with any promotional team without having a conversation with Al. We have watched folks commit what we feel is boxing suicide by going against the grain. We like the way I’m being moved along, and the dates, venues, and television time I have received have all been positive for my career. So while my team appreciates the offer, we chose to decline the proposal from SMS.”
It’s obvious why 50 Cent would want to be involved with the 2008 Olympian. At 22-0, he is one of the most promising fighters in boxing. His most recent victory was a dominating performance over Vyacheslav Gusev, in a fight in which he suffered a hairline fracture to his left hand. Although he will be out of action for a couple of months in order to heal, he believes he can capture a title by the end of the year.
