Hugh Russell
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| Olympic medal record | |||
| Men's Boxing | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 1980 | Flyweight | |
Hugh Russell (b. December 15, 1959, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a former Irish boxer. Russell won a Flyweight Bronze medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics. Two years earlier, Russell also won a Bronze medal, this time representing Northern Ireland in the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.
[edit] Professional Career
Known as "Little Red", Russell turned pro in 1981 and won two British titles in Bantemweight 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 Bantemweight title. The fight was also a final eliminator for the British Bantemweight 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 Bantemweight champion John Feeney. The fight was stopped in the 13th round when the referee disqualified Feeney.
Russell retired in 1985 as undefeated British flyweight champion after securing the Lonsdale Belt. His record was 17-2-0.
After boxing he turned to photography and became a press photographer for the Irish News.
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Categories: 1959 births | Living people | Boxers at the 1980 Summer Olympics | Northern Irish boxers | Olympic competitors for Ireland | Olympic bronze medalists for Ireland | People from Belfast | Competitors at the 1978 Commonwealth Games | European boxing biography stubs | Irish sportspeople stubs
