Russell seeks second pro boxing win

Former Petaluma High School quarterback Mike Russell boxes for the second time as a pro in Pleasanton on Saturday.|

Local boxer Mike Russell will go for the SWC cruiserweight title (178-200 pounds) as part of a series of bouts slated to begin at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.

The event is sponsored by Square Warriors, and features Luis “Vicious” Diaz vs. Eddie “El Diablo” Garcia II in the featured bout, billed as the “Battle for the Golden State.”,

Russell’s opponent will be Jose Jesus Hurtado, coming in with a 5-win and 8-loss record. All five victories were by knockout.

Hurtado is a last-minute replacement for Ryan “Cowboy” Williams, who injured an ankle and could not compete.

Russell won his first pro fight on Jan. 21 of this year, scoring a TKO against Ignacio “El Toro” Zambrano within 38 seconds.

“Magic Mike” trains with Richard Lopes of the Double Punches boxing club in Santa Rosa. He is a 2010 graduate and former quarterback at Petaluma High. He compiled a 78-12 amateur record.

Russell will be bringing a sizable cheering section with him. As always, he will be fighting to honor his late stepmother Shelly, who died last Fall after a battle with brain cancer.

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