Gary Antuanne Russell rendered a beating on Jose Valenzuela, leaving Rayo’s face black and blue while taking the WBA 140-pound title away from his rival earlier this month in a dominant unanimous decision win.

It was an impressive performance for Russell (18-1, 17 KOs), a 28-year-old southpaw from Capitol Heights, Maryland, and a 2016 Olympian who captured the first crown of his career.

“I fought my way up to that position to face Valenzuela,” Russell told The Ring in an interview. “The difference between great and good and the ability to produce is inches. Everyone that participates in this profession is definitely flawed, and you have to do the necessary things to capitalize on those flaws. We may look good to the masses but we’re our own worst critics. I'm not taking anything away from Jose, but I give myself a C-plus. We exploited the flaws Valenzuela didn't fix. I looked spectacular, but I still have to fix my flaws. Which is why I was back in the gym three days later.”

Russell turned in a career-best performance by landing 252 of 957 punches, while Valenzuela answered with 127 of 443 shots. The knockout-artist Russell also heard the final bell for the first time in his career during a win.

“I'm not going to lie. My knockout streak was in the back of my mind,” said Russell. “When my mouthpiece came out, I looked down and he punched me in my face. It made me mad and I said, 'Forget the game plan I am going to hurt you now.' ... Valenzuela was still strong [later in the fight though.] If he wants a rematch, for the love of the sport and the art, I wouldn't mind giving him a rematch down the road, but not immediately.”

Russell will likely move toward a more desirable rematch against PBC stablemate and WBC 140-pound champion Alberto Puello in a title unification fight.

Puello beat Russell via split decision last year and defended the title on the same night Russell bested Valenzuela by beating Sandor Martin via split decision as well.