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The undefeated WBO light welterweight champion said critics are still viewing the sport through an outdated lens and believes Zuffa’s model will change that.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