Agreed One Minute, Off The Next
Right then — let's not beat around the bush. Haney vs Stevenson is the best fight you can make between two American technicians right now, and the pair of them spent this week proving exactly why fans tear their hair out. They appeared to agree a 144-pound catchweight live on social media, and within minutes the whole thing had collapsed again. Brilliant.
This is not new. The fight has been circling for years, ever since they were amateurs, and every time it gets close, somebody finds a clause to argue about. The latest sticking point is weight. Shakur Stevenson wants the fight at a 144 catchweight, three pounds below the welterweight limit, and he wants a rehydration clause on top. Devin Haney, who holds the WBO welterweight belt, is not minded to strip himself down and tie his hands to suit his old rival.
The Belt Problem Nobody's Talking Enough About
Here is the bit that makes Haney vs Stevenson even messier. Haney is under order to defend that WBO belt against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis, who is 15-0 and banging on the door. The word is the WBO would strip Haney if he goes off and makes a 144 catchweight fight with Stevenson instead of honouring Davis. So Haney is being asked to give up weight, give up a rehydration advantage, and potentially give up a world title just to make a fight his rival is dictating the terms of. You can see why he is dragging his heels.
Throw in the rumours of both men heading to Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, and you have got promotional politics layered on top of the weight row. No wonder it keeps tripping over itself.
Both Men Need A Word
Make no mistake, I want this fight. But both of them need to stop posturing for the timeline and get in a room. Stevenson has to accept that demanding a catchweight and a rehydration clause from a sitting welterweight champion is a hard sell. Haney has to accept that ducking the cleanest, biggest fight available does his legacy no favours. Meet in the middle, sort the belt situation with the WBO, and give us the fight.
My Prediction
I am not sitting on the fence, even on a fight that is not signed. If Haney vs Stevenson lands at that 144 catchweight, the weight matters, and I lean to Shakur Stevenson. His defence is the best in the sport, his ring IQ is elite, and a drained Haney climbing down to 144 plays right into a long, frustrating points night. Stevenson on a clear decision. Flip it to a full 147, though, and Haney's size, jab and engine give him a real path — at the full weight I would call it a coin toss leaning Haney. Which tells you exactly why the weight is the whole ball game, and exactly why this thing is so hard to sign.