Shakur Says Devin Is “Committed” To Giving Up Belt To Face Him, Bill Haney Responds

WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) says a fight with Devin Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) is close to becoming reality, revealing that the only remaining obstacle is Haney’s WBO welterweight title — and that he is hearing Haney plans to relinquish it.

“I think everything is there. I think all the cards are in the right place. It’s only one thing that’s stopping it so far right now, and we’re waiting on him to vacate his belt. He sounds like he’s committed on vacating his belt. So after he vacates his belt, it’s going to be me versus him at a catchweight, and I’m going to beat him,” Shakur

Stevenson framed the WBO situation as a matter of respect toward Keyshawn Davis (15-0, 10 KOs), the mandatory challenger whose title shot would be freed up by Haney’s departure from the belt.

“Keyshawn Davis is my brother. I got nothing but love and respect for him. He’s the mandatory for Devin’s belt. So I don’t want to step on his toes and take something from him or get in the way. Devin, it seems like he’s committed on vacating the belt and getting out of Keyshawn’s way,” Shakur

With Haney operating at 147 pounds and Stevenson at 140, a meeting in the middle was always going to be necessary. The agreed solution is 144 pounds.

“Me and him can meet at a catchweight, but he’s fighting at 147 and I fight at 140. Now we’ve got to meet in between. 144 is a weight that I said, and they agreed to,” Shakur

Bill Haney fired back shortly after, rejecting Shakur’s public calls for Devin to vacate the WBO title before a deal is signed.

“Devin Haney doesn’t need to drop anything first. Sign the 144 lb bout agreement, or DHP moves on,” Bill said

If Haney follows through with vacating, Davis gets the title shot he earned, Haney sheds his mandatory obligation, and Stevenson gets the big fight he has been pursuing.