Former champion Tim Bradley has publicly criticized Shakur Stevenson for going silent after Devin Haney accepted his 144-pound catchweight demand. Bradley’s comments add pressure to the stalled negotiations, questioning Stevenson’s desire to make the highly anticipated fight happen.
The criticism centers on a key concession made by Haney to facilitate the bout. Stevenson had publicly requested the fight occur at a 144-pound catchweight, and Haney agreed. According to Bradley, that should have finalized the deal. Instead, communication reportedly stopped. Bradley explained his view on the Into The Storm podcast, stating, “I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s meeting in the middle.’ Haney straight-up conceded to that 144, bro. That’s what you said.”
Following Haney’s agreement, Bradley expressed frustration over Stevenson’s apparent disappearance from the talks. “And then you go missing. You go missing. MIA. Hearing crickets. Where you at? He trying to make the damn fight.”
This inaction has led Bradley to reverse his previous high praise for Stevenson, who he once saw as a future king of the sport. The former champion now questions if Stevenson has what it takes to reach the top. “Remember when I said that you was going to take over the throne? No, you’re not.” Bradley continued, making his assessment of Stevenson’s current behavior clear. “I don’t think you’re going to take over the throne, bro. The way you moving, that tells me so, bro. That tells me everything I need to know.”
The situation leaves Haney in a difficult position. The WBO has ordered him to defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis, creating a deadline for the Stevenson negotiations. If a deal cannot be reached soon, Haney will likely be forced to move on to his mandatory defense this summer. In Bradley’s view, Haney is the one actively pursuing the fight and now holds the superior position in the public eye. As Bradley put it, “Haney wants you. Haney right now looking like the big dog.”
