Shakur Stevenson claims Devin Haney is forfeiting a significantly larger financial purse by refusing a catchweight fight at 144 pounds. Stevenson argues their prospective bout holds far greater commercial value than Haney’s recent collapsed WBO title defense option.
Public discussions between both camps have continued over the proposed weight terms for a potential fight. Stevenson wants the matchup contested at a 144-pound catchweight limit. However, Bill Haney rejected the proposal, insisting that Stevenson must instead work his way through the WBO rankings. Becoming the mandatory challenger would require Stevenson to climb the sanctioning body’s ladder, a process that preserves Haney’s contractual leverage under purse bid rules as the reigning WBO welterweight champion.
Addressing online criticism on X, Stevenson defended his position and dismissed claims that he depended on Haney for a major fight night payout. Stevenson stated: “Ok then no fight and u fans miss out I make a shit ton of money regardless it’s not like I’m in need of anybody.. They bid $6m’s on his fight when he can make way more than that with me don’t be stupid,”
The reference to a six-million-dollar purse relates to Top Rank’s winning bid for an ordered title defense against Keyshawn Davis. That fight collapsed after Davis chose not to proceed with his mandatory challenge.
Stevenson believes a directly negotiated bout between two major pay-per-view stars would generate a far higher overall purse for both boxers. However, he did not outline concrete financial terms or clarify where the additional funding would come from during private talks. His argument rests solely on the broad commercial appeal of the matchup rather than the financial safeguards Haney retains as WBO welterweight champion.
Still, the ongoing exchange highlights the difficulty of arranging elite multi-divisional bouts without mandatory status enforcing the terms. For now, talks remain completely stalled over weight parameters. Without a clear compromise on catchweight limits or WBO ranking pathways, boxing fans will have to wait for a resolution.
