Gary Antonio Russell wants to beat Payano, then fight Greer, Rigondeaux, Inoue

Gary Antonio Russell looks to make his mark in boxing as part of the well known Russell boxing family. He fights Juan Carlos Payano on Dec. 19.

Gary Russell Jr. is the WBC featherweight champion, but he has two other brothers also named Gary, who are making names for themselves as professional boxers. Gary Antonio Russell is next up as he fights on Saturday, Dec. 19, on Showtime against Juan Carlos Payano.

Gary Antonio Russell is 27 years old and the middle boxing brother. Jr. is the oldest, and Gary Antuanne Russell is the youngest at 24 years old. Growing up in Washington, D.C., the brothers grew up sparring each other. That’s doesn’t work as adults.

“Now since we’re bigger, we’re older, we’re punching harder, you know, we, we try not to spar each other too much,” Gary Antonio Russell told FanSided. “Accidents happen.”

The brothers have always been competitive with each other, but not in an oppositional way. The Russells push each other to bring out the best they’ve got. It was like that when they were kids, and it’s still that way today.

“It’s not really we’re one-upping each other,” said Russell. “We strive for the best that, and we push our brothers. We push each other to be the best. You know, iron sharpens iron, and I feel like just the individuals alone we strive for greatness.”

Gary Antonio Russell is looking to take care of business against Juan Carlos Payano and wants to take over the bantamweight division

Russell added, “If I see that my brother may not be pushing himself as hard as I know he could, I give him that extra edge.”

All that pushing has gone a long way. Jr. has a title, and the younger brothers are working towards their first.

Payano (21-4, 9 KOs) is a former WBA bantamweight champion who’s nearing the end of his career. He lost his last two fights against Daniel Roman and Luis Nery, but he gave Roman considerable trouble proving he still has something left in the tank.

“I expect Payano to be a seasoned veteran,” said Russell of Payano. “I expect him to use his experience. He had more rounds than me. He fought longer distance. He did 12 rounds and multiple times.”

Russell (17-0, 12 KOs) has only gone 10 rounds once but is confident he will beat the older Payano. In Fact, he knows exactly who he wants to fight next in order.

“I tell you exactly how I want it,” said Russell. /My way in order, I will go at Joshua Greer first. He’s A good opponent. I like him. Then I would like to fight Emmanuel Rodriguez or the winner of his flight. Then I would like to fight Nonito Donaire, Rigondeaux, and then Inoue.”

That’s a tall order, but Russell feels he’s ready for the bantamweight division’s best. If he convincingly gets past Payano, he may get his wish.

Watch Gary Antonio Russell vs. Juan Carlos Payano on Saturday, Dec. 19, on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET.