WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. lands a body shot on Óscar Escandón on Saturday, May 20 at The Theater at MGM National Harbor. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

27 Stunning Photos from Russell Jr. vs. Óscar Escandón

By Dr. Paul Jones | Published: May 21, 2017 | Photos © Paul Jones

OXON HILL, MARYLAND — After two failed attempts, WBC Featherweight Champ Gary Russell Jr. (28–1, 17 KOs) finally got his chance to take on former Interim WBC titlist Óscar Escandón (25–3, 17 KO) on Saturday night at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

Russell Jr. would go on to win by 7th round TKO and notch his 4th consecutive win. The victory, which was Russell’s second successful title defense, was also an early birthday gift for the DC native who turns 29 on June 5th.

Here are 26 stunning photos from Russell Jr. vs Escandón and its televised undercard:

Russell lands a concussive right hand to Escandón’s head and prepares for incoming fire in Round 1. Mandatory photo credits: Paul Jones

Russell looks to counter Escandón early in Round 2. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Russell evades Escandón’s right and left hands late in round two. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Escandón dislodges Russell’s mouthpiece midway through the third round. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Russell lands a heavy body blow in Round 5. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Russell looks to finish off Escandón in Round 7. Mandatory photo credits: Paul Jones

Escandón is downed in Round 7 and Russell closes the show by TKO later in the round. Mandatory photo credits: Paul Jones

A teary-eyed Escandón congratulates Team Russell as the final results are read aloud. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

RUSSELL JR. VS. ESCANDON: TELEVISED UNDERCARD

Andre Dirrell vs. Jose Uzcategui

Andre Dirrell (26–2, 16 KOs) lands a left hand and is countered with a left from Jose Uzcategui (26–2, 22 KOs). Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Uzcategui lands a left hook on Dirrell’s chin midway through the fight. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Dirrell mounts a counter attack in Round 6. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Uzcategui was disqualified by Referee Bill Clancy for hitting Dirrell after the bell in Round 8. Dirrell was floored by a very late punch from Uzcategui, which caused the Flint, Michigan native to fall onto the canvas face-first. Ironically, when the bout was stopped by the referee and ringside doctor due to Dirrell being deemed unfit to continue as a result of the foul, Uzcategui was up on all three of the judges’ scorecards. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

And that’s where things started to unravel; Dirrell’s uncle (above right) would sucker punch Uzcategui and flee the ring, with chaos ensuing thereafter. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Despite receiving a DQ win over Uzcategui, Dirrell was visibly disappointed with the victory. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Rances Barthelemy vs. Relikh Kiryl

Two-division champ Rances Barthelemy (26–0, 13 KOs) got off to a fast start against Kiryl Relikh (21–2, 19 KOs) in their bout on Saturday night. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Barthelemy out-punched Relikh in the first two rounds to build an early lead on the scorecards by the end of Round 3. Mandatory photo credits: Paul Jones

Kiryl Relik would mount a comeback of his own, however, by peppering Barthelemy with power shots. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Relikh would continue to pour it on Barthelemy in the fifth round, which helped to set-up the first knockdown of the fight. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

On cue, Relikh caught Barthelemy with a well-timed punch in the fifth round that brought the crowd to its feet and yielded a 10–8 round in favor of Relikh. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Despite suffering a knockdown in Round 8, Relikh would battle back over the championship rounds. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones

Nevertheless, Relikh’s rally was not enough to sway the judges. Barthelemy’s hands were ultimately raised as the winner of the bout by unanimous decision, with the final scorecards of 117–109, 116–110, and 115–111. Mandatory photo credit: Paul Jones■

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