Renowned boxing trainer Gary Russell Sr. passes away

Renowned boxing trainer Gary Russell Sr. has passed away. He was 63 years old.

Russell Sr., popular for training the likes of former world featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr., Gary Antuanne Russell, and Gary Antonio Russell had suffered from diabetes.

“Yesterday, we lost a soldier, husband, trainer, friend, mentor, and most of all a father. Gary Russell Sr. is one of the best to ever do boxing,” the Russell family said in a statement.

“The PBC Family mourns the loss of the patriarch of the esteemed Russell family, Mr. Gary Russell Sr. Rest in Peace,” Premier Boxing Champions wrote on Facebook extending its condolences to the bereaved.

A key figure in the Russell boxing family, Russell Sr. was notably absent in Gary Russell Jr.’s corner when he defended his then WBC world featherweight title against Mark Magsayo last January.

According to Russell Jr., his father had his leg amputated and was unable fully commit himself to camp which led to him training mostly by himself in preparation for Magsayo.

Russell Sr. has also suffered several minor strokes in the past before his untimely death. — LA, GMA News