Last week, WBO welterweight world champion Haney and WBO super-lightweight titleholder Stevenson publicly agreed to terms for a 145lb catchweight affair that has immediately captured the imagination of the combat sports world, getting the juices of fight fans well and truly flowing after years of social media back-and-forth and promotional sparring.
It is understood that, should the agreement be finalized and the bout successfully make it to the ring, Haney’s prestigious world title would be up for grabs, and crucially, that no rehydration clause would be included in the official fight contract. The absence of a rehydration clause represents a major concession and a key talking point, as it was something that Stevenson had been fiercely keen to implement when the two elite American technicians were last in serious talks for a career-defining clash.
As the boxing community awaits official confirmation from promoters and broadcast networks, fighters and analysts alike are beginning to weigh in on the matchup. Speaking extensively with interviewer Sean Zittel, newly crowned world champion Floyd Schofield—who famously defeated Lucas Bahdi to get his hands on the WBA 135lb world title on Saturday—admitted that he is currently favouring Devin Haney to come out on top when the opening bell rings.
Offering a detailed tactical breakdown of the prospective matchup, Schofield highlighted the elite skill sets possessed by both undefeated-caliber fighters while pointing to specific physical and stylistic advantages that sway his prediction toward Haney.
“We would have to wait and see on fight night. I think that there is different things that both of them do good, I feel like it would just be a real technical fight,” Schofield told Sean Zittel during their recent interview.
Expanding further on his assessment, the newly minted WBA champion emphasized that Haney’s underrated power development, combined with his natural physical dimensions, creates a difficult puzzle for any opponent to solve inside the squared circle.
“I think that I would favour Devin because, even though he is not a crazy power-puncher, we have seen how he was able to put Brian Norman Jr. on the floor—that is something we haven’t seen before,” Schofield explained, referencing Haney’s proven ability to alter a fight’s momentum with impactful, disciplined striking against elite opposition.
“The reach, the size, the boxing skill [makes me favour Devin],” Schofield added, underscoring the vital attributes that have long made Haney one of the most formidable and technically proficient competitors in modern professional boxing.
The anticipation surrounding a potential bout between Haney and Stevenson is rooted in their shared history as two of the most decorated and dominant amateur and professional talents of their generation. Both men have risen through the ranks with exceptional defensive mastery, impeccable ring IQ, and a relentless dedication to the sweet science. A meeting between them at a mutually agreed-upon 145-pound catchweight represents a fascinating clash of styles, pitting Haney’s commanding length, jab-heavy control, and championship pedigree against Stevenson’s peerless southpaw counter-punching, footwork, and uncanny ability to neutralize opponents’ offense.
Adding fuel to the mounting excitement, industry reports and logistical developments indicate that a concrete timeline and venue are already being heavily targeted for the event. It is believed that the target fight date for the Haney-Stevenson blockbuster is Saturday, November 28, with the proposed showdown slated to take place in Atlanta. Should all remaining promotional and financial hurdles be successfully cleared by both camps, the late-November date in Georgia’s capital could easily crystallize into one of the biggest and most significant boxing events of the 2026 calendar year.
