Manny Pacquiao vs. Shakur Stevenson is not happening.
The fight had been reported as a possible co-main event for Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua on December 11 in Cardiff. Stevenson’s promoter, Dana White, shut that down at the Zuffa Boxing 11 post-fight press conference on Saturday.
That’s not true. I don’t know where that came from.
Stevenson now appears to have a new target. Dan Rafael reported that Zuffa Boxing has contacted Premier Boxing Champions with an offer for Gary Antuanne Russell. The WBA super lightweight champion would face WBO champion Stevenson in a unification bout.
Stevenson followed up with a message to Russell on X.
Gary Antuanne Russell let’s unify.
Russell won the WBA title with a unanimous decision over José Valenzuela in March 2025. He has defended it once, beating Andy Hiraoka on points in February.
Stevenson, 25-0, won the WBO title by beating Teofimo Lopez in January.
The switch comes after Stevenson took heat for going after Pacquiao. Hall of Famer Timothy Bradley accused him of avoiding Russell and chasing “free money” against the 47-year-old.
It is unclear whether Stevenson vs. Russell is being targeted for December 11. The whole Fury vs. Joshua card has been thrown into doubt amid a dispute over White’s role in promoting the event.
Pacquiao has not fought since his majority draw with then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in July 2025. It remains to be seen whether he fights again this year.
