“With this new deal, I can make any fight that I want in the sport of boxing,” Shakur told Ring Magazine. “There’s not no restrictions. It’s not no, ‘I can’t fight this guy.’ Boxing is not the same no more.”

The undefeated WBO light welterweight champion said critics are still viewing the sport through an outdated lens and believes Zuffa’s model will change that.

“The critics got to get past thinking in the old mindset. The new mindset is the best fighting the best, and I’m all for it. I think Zuffa is all for it too. So let’s do it,” said Shakur.

Stevenson expanded on that point later in the interview, saying recent changes in boxing have already made major fights easier to put together.

“The business of boxing is not in the way no more,” he said. “I think with Zuffa, with Turki backing Zuffa, it’s just so much in the sport of boxing that can get done. Any of these guys want to say they want to fight Shakur? Then sign it up. I’m ready.”

While Shakur declined to call out a specific opponent, he reiterated that he is willing to face whoever emerges as the best available option. He also described the proposed fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis as “the biggest fight in the sport” before adding that he is prepared to fight any elite opponent if the opportunity reaches his table.

Shakur signed with Zuffa Boxing today as the promotion continues building its roster around a UFC-style model backed by Dana White and Turki Alalshikh. His signing immediately led to speculation over future fights against Gervonta, Devin Haney and other top names as the new promotion looks to establish itself in boxing.

“The fight is very close,” Garcia told BoxingScene. “Eric Gomez, Vergil Senior, Rick Mirigian, they all came to me and asked me what I think about the fight. I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ There is no need to wait for that fight, there’s no need to get a fight before that.”

Robert also dismissed suggestions that Ortiz needs another fight before facing Ennis, pointing to his recent activity and performance against Israil Madrimov.

“Vergil fought less than a year ago. There’s world champions right now that fight once a year or once every 18 months, and nobody says they’re out of timing because of the delay,” Robert said. “Vergil fought less than a year ago, and people seem to forget his performance against Madrimov.”

Garcia finished by making it clear that he believes the only remaining hurdle is Ennis’ side accepting the fight.

“The fight will happen. The only thing that could stop the fight is if Boots decides not to fight, but the fight on our side. It’s a done deal,” said Robert.

Ennis captured the WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles with a seventh-round stoppage of Xander Zayas on June 27. Ortiz last fought in November 2025, when he stopped Erickson Lubin in two rounds. If finalized, the bout would match Ennis’ unified titles against Ortiz’s WBC interim championship in one of the division’s biggest unification fights.

“I’m very happy that Adrien is locking in now and is going to take better care of himself,” Ryan said on X. “As far as my response to him saying he could beat me, anyone can think anything.”

“I personally don’t give him a chance, but he has every right to feel that way. I’m currently focused on defending my title and fighting the best in the world currently. On top of that, I get paid extremely well, and I’m not looking for any exhibitions or meaningless fights at this point. But I hope the best for him.”

Broner’s original comments came during an appearance on Ray J’s Reality Check, where he confidently predicted he would defeat Ryan after six months of preparation. At the same time, Broner admitted he would not choose Ryan as his first opponent if he returns to the ring, acknowledging that he would need a tune-up before taking on a champion.

Ryan’s response leaves little doubt about where his priorities lie. After capturing the WBC welterweight title earlier this year, he has repeatedly said his goal is to face the division’s top contenders rather than take part in celebrity-style events or comeback fights against aging former champions.

While Broner’s name still carries recognition from his championship run across four weight classes, the 36-year-old has fought only sporadically in recent years. Ryan, meanwhile, appears focused on keeping his title active against elite opposition, making a meeting between the two increasingly unlikely.

Ryan’s comments make it clear that a fight with Broner is not part of his plans. Even so, Broner’s outspoken personality has long made him one of boxing’s most effective promoters of his own fights, and a matchup with Ryan would attract plenty of attention from fans. But with Ryan holding a world title and targeting the division’s top names, he sees little reason to risk time on a fight he considers to have little sporting significance.