Haney Won’t Meet Shakur In The Middle

Bill Haney has shut down Shakur Stevenson’s (25-0, 11 KOs) proposed 144-pound catchweight bout with Devin Haney (33-0, 15 KOs), insisting any matchup happens at 147 with Haney’s welterweight belt on the line.

Devin is currently the WBO Welterweight Champion, while Shakur holds the same belt at 140. Stevenson has said he wants to only fight at 147 with a rehydration clause for his opponent or a 144-pound catchweight. Bill was direct on the weight issue: “We’re ready, willing, and able to defend our 147-pound welterweight title against anybody at any given time. We’re not going down no more pounds.”

On the subject of a 144lb middle ground, he was equally firm: “If it’s at a catchweight 144, then it wouldn’t be for the belt.” Bill argued a full welterweight title fight would carry greater historical significance for both men, particularly if Stevenson moved up and captured a world title in a fifth-weight class.