Shakur Stevenson Targets Gary Antuanne Russell if Haney Fight Fails

Stevenson says years of sparring convinced him Russell could give him one of his hardest fights

Shakur Stevenson wants Devin Haney for his October Zuffa Boxing debut, but Gary Antuanne Russell has emerged as his preferred alternative. Stevenson says their extensive sparring history convinced him the WBA junior welterweight champion could push him harder than most opponents.

“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,” said Shakur to Fighthype about who he wants to fight in October if he can’t get Haney. “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.”

Shakur then explained why Russell sits near the top of his list of potential opponents.

“Truthfully, he might be the one that gives me one of the hardest fights,” said Shakur. “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.”

Shakur rarely speaks so highly about a potential opponent. Rather than dismissing Russell, he pointed to their years of sparring together and said firsthand experience convinced him that Russell has the style and toughness to push him harder than most fighters.

Haney remains Shakur’s preferred opponent for October, with Russell next in line if negotiations fall apart. Some fans may question that choice after Russell’s disputed victory over Andy Hiraoka earlier this year, especially with Dalton Smith, Ernesto Mercado and Hiraoka also in the mix at 140 pounds. Stevenson, however, believes Russell’s style presents a tougher test than many fans realize.