Although he is often criticized for his inactivity, Boxingtalk salutes WBC featherweight champions Gary Russell Jr. ahead of tonight's title defense in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Russell has faced some family adversity going into tonight's fight. He lost a younger brother last year to a reported heart attack, and his father / trainer has been ill. Showtime, which will broadcast the fight, has released a three-minute video feature showcasing the deep boxing pedigree of the Russell family. Sadly, the partriarch of the family, father and trainer Gary Russell, Sr., has been ailing with diabetes, forcing Russell to largely train himself.  “This has honestly been my toughest training camp,” Russell Jr. says. “My father has been in and out of the hospital. He honestly couldn’t really be in the camp the way that I wanted him to. His health still isn’t the best and it makes me push a little harder just for that. I’m just glad that at least he’s able to still be here and be apart of what he started. To be able to witness how everything is unfolding right in front of him.”

Also affected by their father's illness are brothers and current undefeated professionals Gary Antonio and Gary Antuanne, also trained by Russell, Sr. “I love being able to showcase my skillset and what it is that I bring,” says Russell Jr. in the video feature that includes rare 2015 footage from brothers Gary Antonio, Gary Antuanne and Gary Allen Russell III. “That makes it even easier for me to give back to my younger brothers. To be able to give them some of the jewels in which that I gathered from the sport. A lot of information and a lot of knowledge. It’s only right to pass it on.”