Hugh Russell

Hugh Russell (15 December 1959 – 13 October 2023) was a Northern Irish professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1985. He held the British bantamweight title in 1983, and the British flyweight title from 1984 to 1985. As an amateur, he won bronze medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and the 1980 Summer Olympics, both in the flyweight division.

Hugh Russell
Statistics
Nickname(s)Little red
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
NationalityIrish
Born(1959-12-15)15 December 1959
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died13 October 2023(2023-10-13) (aged 63)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights19
Wins17
Wins by KO8
Losses2
Medal record
Men’s Boxing
Olympic Games
Representing  Ireland
Bronze medal – third place 1980 Moscow Flyweight
Commonwealth Games
Representing  Northern Ireland
Bronze medal – third place1978 Edmonton Flyweight

1980 Olympic results

Below are the results of Hugh Russell, an Irish flyweight boxer who competed at the 1980 Moscow Olympics:

  • Round of 32: Defeated Samir Khiniab (Iraq) on points, 5-0
  • Round of 16: Defeated Emmanuel Mlundwa (Tanzania) on points, 5-0
  • Quarterfinal: Defeated Yo Ryon-Sik (North Korea) on points, 3-2
  • Semifinal: Lost to Peter Lessov (Bulgaria) on points, 0-5 (was awarded bronze medal)

Professional career

Known as "Little Red", Russell turned pro in 1981 and won two British titles in Bantamweight and Flyweight. He was the first boxer to win a British title at both divisions in that order.

In October 1982 he defeated Davy Larmour at the Ulster Hall to win the Irish Bantamweight title. The fight was also a final eliminator for the British Bantamweight title.

An iconic image of Russell reaching through the ropes to kiss his mother, Eileen, after winning the fight, appears in photographer Brendan Murphy's book Eyewitness.

In January 1983, he fought in the last 15 round British title fight against reigning Bantamweight champion John Feeney. The fight was stopped in the 13th round when the referee disqualified Feeney for persistent misuse of the head.

Russell retired in 1985 as undefeated British flyweight champion after securing the Lonsdale Belt.

Death

Hugh Russell died on 13 October 2023, at the age of 63.[2]

See also

References

Sources


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