Trainer And Father Gary Russell Sr Dies Days After 63rd Birthday

Gary Russell Sr has died just days after his 63rd birthday.

Boxing Scene’s Jake Donovan reported the passing on Monday. Russell Sr — the father of Gary Russell Jr, Gary Antuanne and Gary Antonio – battled type 2 diabetes for years.

Back in January, when Russell Jr was training for his upcoming title fight against now champion Mark Magsayo, Russell Jr revealed that his father and lifelong trainer, had one of his feet amputated in December due to complications from diabetes.

Saddened to hear of the passing of Gary Russell Sr., who died just days after his 63rd birthday. Gary Sr. battled Type 2 diabetes for years & was forced to have his leg amputated last December. Thoughts are with Gary Jr., Gary Antuanne, Gary Antonio and the entire Russell family.

— Jake Donovan (@JakeNDaBox) May 24, 2022

His father was unable to attend most of his son’s training sessions at the time in Washington D.C.

Russell Jr, who returned from a near two-year layoff, lost to Magsayo by majority decision.

Russell Sr had trained all three sons throughout their amateur and professional careers.

Gary Antuanne competes in the super lightweight division and has won all of his 15 pro fights and a 100% knockout rate.

Gary Antonio is a bantamweight boxer and has won all 19 of his pro fights with 12 coming by way of knockout.

Russell Jr became the WBC featherweight champion in 2015 with a fourth-round TKO over Jhonny Gonzalez.

Russell Jr became the WBC featherweight champion in 2015 with a fourth-round TKO over Jhonny Gonzalez.  

“My father, he’s a warrior at heart. He’s a warrior at heart,” Russell Jr said in January. 

“…He felt like he missed enough time in the training camp, and he wants to dedicate the rest of whatever he do have to me and to the rest of this camp. You know, I’m grateful for that. It means a lot to me. And once again, we use it all as fuel.”