Shakur Stevenson Calls Russell After Team Declines Interest

Menu Results Schedule Rankings Videos Tickets Forum Contact Us Menu Rankings Schedule Results Boxing Live Shakur Stevenson Calls Russell After Team Declines Interest Google News Preferred Source By Boxing News 24 Desk - 09/26/2026 - Comments Shakur Stevenson publicly called for a unification with Gary Antuanne Russell, but PBC had already approached Shakur’s team and been told it was not interested, Dan Rafael reports. That leaves an awkward question: was Shakur unaware of the approach, or does his public callout reflect a change of plans?

Rafael, citing a source, said PBC contacted Shakur’s team and received a negative response. He added that Shakur may not have known about the exchange and said he does not believe Shakur is looking to duck anyone. Those distinctions matter. A team’s answer cannot be pinned on its fighter without knowing what he was told.

Russell has talked about letting the fight grow, though he has done little to build demand for it. He did not look convincing against Alberto Puello or Andy Hiraoka, and he has little public presence between fights. His WBA belt makes this a unification; it does not make him a draw for casual fans. Waiting only helps if something changes.