“I said I would fight Shakur last,” Russell told MillCity Boxing. “I want it to be a build-up.”
After the struggles Gary Antuanne Russell had against Andy Hiraoka in February, it’s easy to see why he would prefer more build-up before facing Shakur Stevenson. The problem is on the other side. Stevenson hasn’t pushed for the fight, and without a clear financial advantage, it remains a tough sell.
The 27-year-old Russell dismissed any suggestion he was avoiding Stevenson and insisted he is open to facing anyone in the division. At the same time, he pointed to timing and business considerations as the reason for delay.
“I can do it, but they can easily refuse,” Russell said of the call for the fight immediately. “Business wise it wouldn’t be smart.”
Instead, Russell charted a more gradual path. He talked about targeting other titleholders first, including a potential trip overseas before returning to the United States for a unification bout. According to him, that order will strengthen his position and make a future match with Stevenson more difficult to pass.
Russell also acknowledged Stevenson’s stature in the sport, citing his achievements across various weight classes.
“You can’t dispute what he did,” Russell said. “He got the titles, the awards.”
By putting Stevenson at the end of his plan, Russell aims to build toward a fight that carries more weight than a standard title defense. The approach may delay a match fans want to see, but it reflects a calculated decision about when the fight will carry the most value.
