“Stevenson-Bika pitted one fighter, the southpaw Stevenson, who would be rendered nearly helpless should he injure his left hand, against another, Bika, whose brand of violence would be only slightly less effective were he to lose both of his hands entirely. No such disaster befell either fighter. Yet, despite their four good hands they failed to conjure a memorable moment over 12 trudging rounds. Ivan Denisovich had more success building walls then Stevenson and Bika did building excitement.”

Read Wonder or Wander: Adonis Stevenson W12 Sakio Bika on The Cruelest Sport.

“What is needed now from Russell is more of the same. Considering the nondescript opponents, the squandered potential, the years of tried patience that have typified Russell’s career, that request is as unexpected as it is novel. “Patience” from the Latin “pati” meaning “to suffer,”—oh yes, waiting on Russell was indeed suffering for aficionados left cold by his glacial progression. After years of wanting anything but consistency from Russell, however, the fighter from Capitol Heights, Maryland, finally delivered a performance that, at the very least, piqued a collective interest and earned him goodwill enough for the public to pardon whatever mandatory defense his newly acquired hardware might permit.”

Read First & Long Overdue: Gary Russell Jr. TKO4 Jhonny Gonzalez on The Cruelest Sport.

Philo: “Please don’t start there. If we are going to do this, let’s take our first steps on firmer ground.”

Cleanthes: “What do you mean?”

Philo: “The hand speed argument. Hand speed is overvalued for being so immediately discernible. Gary Russell Jr. has fast hands (especially on the mitts), but all those punches opponents can’t see coming haven’t really been worth seeing.”

Cleanthes: “Nothing worth seeing? No one was saying that when Russell turned pro, and if anything, the turn against him is rooted primarily in a general impatience about the pace and trajectory of his career. If we accept your line of reasoning, that Russell is little more than fast hands—”

Read A Dialogue: On Jhonny Gonzalez-Gary Russell Jr. on The Cruelest Sport.