Negotiations for a high-profile showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney have collapsed once again, with the fight weight proving to be the insurmountable sticking point that has ultimately derailed the matchup for the second time this year.
The latest breakdown comes after both fighters had recently offered encouraging updates regarding the progress of their discussions. Haney, whose ideal fighting weight moving forward remains at the 147-pound welterweight limit, had indicated a willingness to compromise by agreeing to a 145-pound catchweight. Meanwhile, Stevenson, who has expressed hesitation about making a full-time move up to the welterweight division just yet, signaled that he would accept those specific terms provided there was no rehydration clause attached to the bout contract.
Given the volatile history of negotiations between elite boxing promotional camps, it came as little surprise to boxing fans and industry insiders when those public negotiations fell apart at the eleventh hour once more. With the prospective matchup officially scrapped, both fighters are now actively exploring alternative options for their respective career paths as they look toward future dates in the ring.
For four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr., the ongoing weight discrepancy underscores a vital health and performance consideration for Haney. Jones believes strongly that Haney should not drain his body by attempting to boil down below the 147-pound limit to accommodate a catchweight. That physiological reality effectively puts Stevenson out of the picture for the time being, prompting Jones to offer a strategic alternative. In a recent appearance on the "All The Smoke Fight" program, the legendary fighter suggested that the Newark southpaw should instead redirect his competitive focus toward securing a long-awaited clash with Gervonta "Tank" Davis.
Addressing Stevenson’s current career trajectory, Jones emphasized the importance of securing elite competition while managing weight classes prudently. "Shakur, I know what you’re saying. You feel like you don’t want to go that big because you’re not that big. But you got to find somebody. Go find, get Tank [to] come back and fight," Jones stated during the interview. "You can’t fight Devin because Devin shouldn’t come below 147. So go fight Tank or somebody that can make 140."
A potential showdown featuring "Tank" Davis versus Stevenson stands as one of the most in-demand and heavily discussed bouts in the sport of boxing, a matchup that at one point could have materialized as a major world title unification at lightweight. The landscape for both fighters has shifted considerably in recent times. Stevenson, who was recently released from his Zuffa Boxing contract at his own explicit request, has since transitioned to the 140-pound junior welterweight division. In his new weight class, Stevenson successfully challenged and relieved Teofimo Lopez of his WBO championship belt.
Concurrently, Davis has faced various challenges outside the professional ring, including ongoing legal battles that have impacted his active schedule. Consequently, Davis has been designated as the WBA lightweight champion in recess due to his period of inactivity.
Because of these logistical hurdles and outside commitments, a fight between Stevenson and Davis appears unlikely to materialize in the immediate future. Nevertheless, rumors within the boxing community suggest that "Tank" is reportedly targeting a return to the squared circle in 2027, with former world champion George Kambosos Jr. already being mentioned as a potential opponent for his comeback fight. As Stevenson and Haney return to the drawing board following the latest collapse of their talks, the broader boxing world continues to monitor how these elite competitors will navigate their respective divisions and whether their paths might cross at a more accommodating weight in the years to come.
