His comments come as Shakur has recently been linked to several higher-profile fights, including a proposed 144-pound catchweight bout with Devin Haney. However, Haney’s immediate future remains tied to his WBO welterweight title obligations, with mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis waiting in line. Haney has also continued to be mentioned as a potential opponent for Gervonta Davis.
A fight with Gary Antuanne Russell would instead give Shakur an immediate unification opportunity at 140 pounds. Russell captured the WBA junior welterweight title by defeating José Valenzuela in March 2025 and made his first successful defense against Andy Hiraoka earlier this year.
Shakur is coming off the biggest victory of his career after outpointing Teófimo López to win the WBO light welterweight title. While several potential opponents remain available, he made it clear that Russell is the matchup he believes would demand his best performance in the future.
No negotiations have been announced between the two camps, and neither promoter has indicated that talks are underway. Even so, Shakur’s public endorsement of the matchup makes Russell one of the first champions he has openly identified as a preferred opponent since capturing the WBO junior welterweight title.
Russell may hold a world title, but his performance against Andy Hiraoka likely made the fight more appealing to Shakur. Russell spent much of the night on the move and absorbed a steady stream of clean, hard punches whenever Hiraoka closed the distance. He answered with flurries of fast combinations, but many fans felt Hiraoka’s heavier, more damaging shots deserved the decision.
I scored the fight for Hiraoka, and many fans did as well. Russell’s hand speed and activity impressed the judges, but Hiraoka consistently landed the cleaner, harder punches.
