Shakur Stevenson is targeting Devin Haney for his October Zuffa Boxing debut but has a clear backup plan. He identified WBA light welterweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell as his preferred alternative, citing Russell’s relentless style as a challenge he is ready to meet.
Haney remains the primary target, but Stevenson is not waiting idly for negotiations to conclude. He has publicly named Russell as the next man in line, ensuring he has a high-caliber opponent for his first fight under the Zuffa banner. Stevenson made it clear he views Russell as a serious threat and a worthwhile fight for the fans.
“I would like maybe like a Antuanne, Gary Antuanne. There are fighters out there that are real good fighters, so it’s like you can’t say there’s nobody to fight. Antoine is a hell of a fighter,” Stevenson said. He immediately followed up by urging Russell to consider the matchup now rather than later. “Antuanne, I think me and Antuanne should be a big fight. I know he was talking about getting the belts before, but if you didn’t start the process of getting the belts, then me and you probably could get in there and rumble right now. It ain’t really no point of waiting.”
This is not a token call-out. Stevenson’s respect for Russell is based on years of direct experience in the gym. He believes Russell’s aggressive, pressure-based style is uniquely suited to test him in ways other fighters cannot. “Truthfully, he might be the one that gives me one of the hardest fights,” Shakur stated, a rare admission from the defensively gifted fighter.
He expanded on why he holds Russell in such high regard, pointing to their shared history in sparring. “I done sparred with that dude a million times, and that dude is one of the toughest dudes that I done been in the ring with. He don’t got no quit in him. He’s a real deal stepper like me. Stylistically, he could be one of the guys that give me one of my hardest fights. He’s the type of guy that backs me up in the corner, and I got to fight. Let’s fight now. I got to show y’all I’m good at this too.”
Stevenson’s choice may surprise some. Russell is coming off a disputed victory over Andy Hiraoka, and other contenders like Dalton Smith and Ernesto Mercado are also available at 140 pounds. Still, Stevenson is focused on the stylistic challenge Russell presents, not recent scorecards. The priority remains getting the Haney fight signed for October, but if it collapses, a battle-tested champion in Russell is waiting as a formidable Plan B.
