Timothy Bradley Accuses Gary Antuanne Russell of Ducking Shakur Stevenson Over $2 Million Purse
A $2 million purse offer has ignited a fierce debate in the boxing world after Hall of Fame fighter-turned-analyst Timothy Bradley Jr. accused WBA super lightweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell of ducking a title fight against Shakur Stevenson, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
The $2 Million Offer Dispute
The core of the dispute centers on whether Gary Antuanne Russell turned down a career-high payday to face Shakur Stevenson at 140 pounds. Bradley laid out the figures on his YouTube channel, asserting that initial discussions started around $1.5 million or $1.7 million before ultimately reaching the $2 million mark. Bradley didn’t mince words regarding the champion’s reluctance, stating on his channel that Russell had a clear opportunity to face one of the best fighters in the sport for a massive sum.
Contradicting Bradley’s claims, Gary Russell Jr., the former WBC featherweight champion and brother to the WBA titleholder, fired back on social media. Russell Jr. asserted that the $2 million figure was never a viable option on the table. He stated that his brother’s team is still actively working behind the scenes to make a fight with Stevenson a reality rather than dodging it.
Bradley doubled down on his assertions in response to Team Russell’s video statement, labeling the team as liars and pointing out what he viewed as internal contradictions in their public statements. While Zuffa Boxing reportedly approached the PBC with an offer for Russell, exact contract terms beyond Bradley’s public claims remain unconfirmed.
Russell Uses Knockout Power to Hold WBA Title
Gary Antuanne Russell holds the WBA super lightweight title and commands respect with an 89.4% knockout percentage, utilizing a 5’10" frame to generate explosive power. However, his recent fights have gone the distance to the judges’ scorecards, including a demanding matchup against Andy Hiraoka. Waiting for the right moment to fight Stevenson is a high-stakes gamble for the champion. Holding the belt provides immediate bargaining power, but taking optional defenses risks eroding that standing without guaranteeing a bigger reward later.
Stevenson enters any potential unification talks as the more decorated operator in the division. Holding world championships since 2019, Stevenson is coming off a decisive 12-round unanimous decision victory over current welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez in January. As Stevenson weighs potential moves to higher weight classes, the shelf life of his offer to Russell continues to tick down.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Stevenson-Russell Dispute
What did Timothy Bradley say about Gary Antuanne Russell?
Timothy Bradley claimed that WBA super lightweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell turned down a $2 million purse offer to fight Shakur Stevenson. Bradley argued that passing up the biggest payday of Russell’s career amounts to ducking a major title unification opportunity.
Is the Shakur Stevenson versus Gary Antuanne Russell fight officially signed?
No fight agreement is finalized. While Zuffa Boxing reportedly extended an offer to the PBC, and Stevenson has publicly called for the matchup, Team Russell maintains they are still working to structure a viable deal for a later date.
What titles would be at stake in a matchup between Stevenson and Russell?
Gary Antuanne Russell currently holds the WBA junior welterweight championship belt, which would serve as a major piece in any unification bout against Stevenson.
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