Gary Antuanne Russell says Shakur Stevenson fight would “go viral”

WBA champion says unification bout at 140 “would go viral” after Stevenson’s title win

Gary Antuanne Russell says a fight with Shakur Stevenson “would go viral” if made at 140 pounds. The WBA junior welterweight champion called for a unification bout following Stevenson’s title win.

Stevenson moved into the division in January when he outpointed Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO belt and become a four-division world champion. Since then, there has been talk about whether he will stay at 140 or return to lightweight.

Russell made it clear he wants the fight if Stevenson remains in the weight class.

“It would go viral. If it’s not him, it gotta be another name,” Russell said to MillCity Boxing.

The 29-year-old also mentioned Gervonta Davis as another opponent he would welcome, but his strongest comments were saved for Stevenson, whose name carries momentum after his win over Lopez.

Russell captured the WBA title with a unanimous decision over Andy Hiraoka in February and is now in position for a voluntary defense or a unification bout. Stevenson would likely represent the higher-profile option if both sides show interest.

A Russell-Stevenson fight would match two skilled southpaws in a bout that hardcore fans would watch closely. Russell clearly believes it could reach well beyond that audience, too.

Now that Shakur has tasted that “Saudi money” and the massive exposure from the Teofimo and Zepeda fights, his appetite has shifted. He’s looking for the “Mega-Millions” lottery tickets, Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, or a leap to 147 for Conor Benn, where the reward matches the risk.

Gary Antuanne Russell is the definition of “high risk, low reward” for a superstar like Shakur. Russell is a dangerous, high-volume southpaw who can actually fight, but he doesn’t bring the casual fan base or the massive gate that justifies taking that kind of risk.

Russell is in that classic Boogeyman trap. He’s too good to be an easy touch and not famous enough to be a must-have payday. Unless he can snatch another belt, maybe by unifying with Dalton Smith, the WBC champ, or IBF champion Richardson Hitchins, he simply doesn’t have the leverage to force Shakur into the ring.

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