Shakur Stevenson Calls Russell After Team Declines Interest

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?

“Gary Antuanne Russell let’s unify,” Shakur posted on X.

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 fig