Shakur Stevenson says he would be open to moving up to 140 in 2025 to fight Devin Haney because he feels he is a “attraction for the public”. The timing is not ideal for a fight between Haney and Shakur to go down next year.
Former two division world champion Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) had been riding high, picking and choosing the opposition to beat to capture two division world titles. However, Devin, 26, has not been seen since being beaten by Ryan Garcia on April 20, and there are many questions about whether he will be able to bounce back from that defeat.
Shakur vs. Haney In 2025?
Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) already has a full plate ahead of him for 2025, with a title defense of his WBC lightweight belt against newcomer Floyd Schofield on the February 22 card of Turki Alalashikh in Riyadh and then potentially a title fight against #1 contender Guglielmo Zepeda in the summer
A third fight against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in 2025 is also possible, provided the match can be negotiated. The money issue will determine if Tank agrees to fight Shakur. A massive offer would have to be made to Tank.
“We can make the fight. It all depends on Devin as well. I’m willing to fight any fighter. They called me three times to negotiate. I’m willing to go up to 140 because I think Devin Haney is an attraction for the public, and I think it would make sense,” Shakur Stevenson said. Move over yourself podcast when asked if he would be interested in fighting Devin Haney.
“Whatever you’ve seen of me, you’ll see a better version of me on February 22,” Shakur said of his title defense against newcomer Floyd Schofield in Riyadh. “I said if Zepeda was going to screw me up, I’m going to fight. A lot of casual fans know this kid, and they think he’s a good fighter.
“I also want to beat on who likes the casuals. If the casuals like this man. I will beat a casual favorite,” said Shakur about why he chose Schofield as his next opponent.
Shakur’s next fight
It’s interesting to hear Shakur explain his reason for choosing the 22-year-old Schofield as his next opponent instead of the more dangerous Andy Cruz or Raymond Muratalla.
Saying he focuses on who likes the randoms is a weak argument for why Shakur chose Schofield over Muratalla. Stevenson seems to have chosen Floyd Jr. because it is an easy fight without risk. Schofield is an inexperienced prospect who has looked beatable in his recent fights against second-tier opposition.
After Shakur’s close fight against Edwin De Los Santos last year, in which he almost lost, he didn’t take any chances to fight well and risk seeing Tank’s fight go bye-bye.
Shakur wants the pot of gold he can get fighting Gervonta Davis, and if he does Cruz or Muratalla, he could be beaten. That gold bullion disappears at that point.
