Shakur Stevenson Targets Gary Antuanne Russell as Next Opponent

American boxer Shakur Stevenson, the reigning WBO super‑lightweight champion, said his preferred next fight is against fellow American champion Gary Antuanne Russell, the WBA junior welterweight title holder. Stevenson, who won the WBO belt by outpointing Teófimo López, said Russell would “bring the best out of me.”

Russell secured the WBA junior welterweight belt by defeating José Valenzuela in March 2025 and defended it against Andy Hiraoka earlier this year. Stevenson has also been linked to other possible match‑ups, including a catch‑weight bout with Devin Haney and a fight with former world champion José Valenzuela, but no negotiations have been announced.

Both fighters are based in the United States, and the bout would offer a unification opportunity at 140 lb.