Gary Antuanne Russell immediately catapulted himself to more meaningful matchups by capturing a share of the crown at 140 pounds when he scored the WBA title in a unanimous decision victory against Jose Valenzuela on March 1.

Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) now joins The Ring and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez Jr., recently minted IBF title holder Richardson Hitchins, and the only fighter who beat him, WBC belt holder Alberto Puello, as the division’s champions.

Russell is anticipating a rematch against Puello with title unification implications. But for the right fight, the career-long junior welterweight is willing to drop down a division to face one of the lightweight champions in Gervanta Davis (WBA), Shakur Stevenson (WBC), Keyshawn Davis (WBO), or Vasiliy Lomachenko (IBF).

“I wouldn't mind going to 135. It has to make sense. Shakur said he'd fight me,” Russell told The Ring in an interview. “Tank is the cash cow, and he is the guy to beat. I wouldn't mind fighting any of the champions. I want the titles. I want to wipe out my division, and then I can move up or down.”

Russell, a 28-year-old southpaw from Capitol Heights, Maryland, came into the Valenzuela fight at 138 ¼ pounds and said shedding a few extra pounds wouldn’t be an issue.

Stevenson said he'd "love to line it up with Russell if the money makes sense."

“I feel good about the Valenzuela fight,” said Russell. “It was expected after the work I put in. I was back in the gym three days after the fight. This is a marathon and I am here for the long haul. There are more belts and titles out there that I need to take. I am glad that Puello [beat Sandor Martin] and that is the next title that I want to take. That's the plan. I actually didn't care if Puello won the fight or not, he had to see me again regardless. I needed that rematch. It just makes it even better that he has the title. It makes it better that I get to take something from him.”