Barclays Center, Brooklyn - Gary Antuanne Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) cruised to a unanimous 12-round decision to win his first world championship by dethroning now-former WBA Super Lightweight World Champion José “Rayo” Valenzuela (14-3, 9 KOs). (photos by Esther Lin, Ryan Hafey)

The 28-year-old Russell admitted to feeling offended by Valenzuela’s pre-fight contention that he was “nothing special,” and, as promised, came out firing from the opening bell with speed, power in both hands and an unrelenting pressure, which allowed him to dominate the action while effectively muting Valenzuela’s usual offensive fireworks in return.