Stephen Russell interview
When I first spoke to Stephen Russell on behalf of BoxRec News in prelude to his first major test against Chester's Paul Economides one thing struck me; his unbreakable confidence. This wasn't arrogance, or the usual fight talk, with guys saying 'they are going to do this and they are going to do that', this was from the heart. It was like he realised that people had forgotten how good he was but he himself had a longer memory than that. As I got off the phone, as well as thinking what a nice bloke I had spoken to, I also knew he seriously meant business and that Economides had better be bringing his A game if he wanted to remain undefeated. The names he had beaten were a who's who of Scottish boxing. To paraphrase what I said at the time 'some people may end up feeling rather stupid for forgetting about him'.
Come fight night those predictions became reality. Surprisingly put on as last on the bill, the first bell rang. Shortly afterwards, Economides came forward, looking to land on the classy Scotsman. After rolling from one side to the other, Russell detonated a left hand that floored the Chester man, it was pure class. Economides rose, but soon enough he was punched to the ropes again, then to the corner where the fight was stopped to save him from further punishment. Stephen had stopped his opponent in less than a round. Russell explains his feelings about the fight.
“Every punch I landed on him hurt, him even my jab was hurting him. I told you about what would happen if he rushed in when we did that interview, and that's exactly what happened. I also said I didn't really suffer from ring rust, and I thought I was sharp and stuff considering I had a year out.”
It's true, everything Russell has said had become reality. As we all left the arena there was obvious disappointment from the Chester crowd, but an acknowledgement that they had witnessed something very special. My opinion is that in a year's time that defeat will not look too bad for Economides, who is a classy enough fighter himself to rise again. He just may have lost to the future of the super-bantamweight division. Russell also believes that the 24 hour weigh-in also helped him gain that extra advantage, something rather important if he is to move into championship class.
“I'm definitely staying at super-bantam, I weighed in at 8st 11lbs and I'm about 10st now. It was my first 24 hour weigh in and I felt super strong.”
The question now is, where does the future lie for Stephen Russell? His lack of a promotional company has seen him stagnate. Guys who he had despatched with ease, Kris Hughes, Dan Savage and Paul Appleby have gone on to become the next generation of Scottish golden boys. The fact that a man of such talent has been left to rot is a travesty of justice. Stephen however, believes that his luck may just be about to change.
“Richard Poxon, the Hattons' matchmaker said he is going to give me a call in the next few days, hopefully they were impressed. Hopefully I can have another two or three fights and then go for an eliminator. I will fight anybody, I know I have the talent, all I need is the backing.”
One would suspect that the Hattons would have been impressed. And knowing the way boxing works the Hattons may not be the only promotional company looking to invest in the young Scotsman.
I once said that the winner of this fight could go on to be a star. Though, as always the road may be long and arduous, I believe now, more than ever that a star may just have been born, or it may be better to say, rediscovered.
