The war of words between Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney continues to intensify as one of boxing’s most anticipated potential matchups inches closer to reality. For weeks, Haney and his father, Bill Haney, have publicly pushed for a showdown against Stevenson. While both sides appear interested in making the fight happen, one major obstacle remains unresolved: weight.
Stevenson, the reigning Ring Magazine and WBO junior welterweight champion, believes Team Haney’s eagerness stems from one simple factor size. Speaking with The Daily Mail, Stevenson made it clear he believes Haney is pursuing the fight because he expects to hold a significant physical advantage.
Haney currently holds a world title at 147 pounds, while Stevenson remains champion at 140 pounds. Stevenson has repeatedly proposed a 144-pound catchweight as a compromise between the two divisions. According to Stevenson, the Haneys’ sudden urgency raises questions.
“You’re begging to fight someone that’s way smaller than you,” Stevenson said. “Just like they did for Tank for years. You ain’t eager to jump up and fight Boots at 154. You want an advantage over somebody.”
Stevenson believes Haney’s size would be a major factor on fight night if they were to meet without a negotiated catchweight. “When me and Devin fight, Devin is going to be 20 pounds bigger,” Stevenson said. “Which is why he’s so eager to jump in the ring with me.”
Why Stevenson Wants 144 Pounds
Stevenson has consistently maintained that he’s willing to fight Haney, but only if both sides meet somewhere in the middle. The Newark native believes 144 pounds is a fair solution that allows both fighters to make reasonable adjustments rather than forcing one side to carry the entire burden.
“For me, I’m with the fight,” Stevenson explained. “But that’s why I said 144 pounds. You come down in weight and we meet in the middle.” The proposal has become one of the biggest talking points surrounding negotiations, with Team Haney previously indicating they would consider the catchweight.
Pound-for-Pound Legacy at Stake
Despite acknowledging the size disadvantage he would face, Stevenson remains confident in his ability to overcome larger opponents. The undefeated four-division champion pointed to several examples of smaller fighters defeating naturally bigger men on the sport’s biggest stages.
“I’ve seen the greats do it,” Stevenson said. “I’m willing to challenge myself.” He referenced legendary performances by fighters such as Floyd Mayweather Jr. against Canelo Alvarez and Oleksandr Usyk against Tyson Fury as proof that elite skill can overcome physical disadvantages.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
