Devin Haney Revives Shakur Stevenson Fight Talks

Haney's Instagram Post

Devin Haney has reignited speculation about a potential matchup with Shakur Stevenson through a recent Instagram post. The video features Haney facing off with Stevenson and comes as Haney approaches a year of inactivity. This fight could provide Haney with a well-known opponent and an opportunity to regain visibility in the sport after months away from competition.

Shakur Stevenson's Response

The timing of Haney's post coincided with an exchange of insults between Stevenson and Gervonta Davis on X, which has drawn attention to Stevenson. Although Haney did not clarify whether this influenced his decision to share the footage, Stevenson quickly expressed interest in a fight with Haney in his own post on X.

Weight Class Considerations

One of the main issues for a potential fight is the weight. Haney is likely to prefer a catchweight of 147 pounds, allowing him to face Stevenson without an extensive weight cut. Stevenson previously indicated a desire for a catchweight of 144 pounds, which would require Haney to drop three pounds. The impact of this weight cut on Haney's performance remains uncertain.

Future Directions for Both Fighters

Haney needs to build on his victory over Brian Norman Jr. from last November, as nearly eleven months have passed since he won the WBO welterweight title. Without a scheduled fight by November 22, he risks losing valuable time in his prime. There are other potential opponents for Haney around the 147-pound division if Stevenson is preoccupied with Gary Antuanne Russell. Options include Richardson Hitchins, Liam Paro, and Teofimo Lopez, among others. Meanwhile, Stevenson could pursue another title at 140 against Russell or consider a lucrative fight with Haney, which would require moving up in weight.