Haney vs. Stevenson Is On

The Great Weight Debate

In a candid phone call between two of boxing's most influential figures, the groundwork was laid for one of the most anticipated superfights in modern boxing. Bill Haney, father and trainer of welterweight king Devin Haney, and J Prince, mentor to pound-for-pound star Shakur Stevenson, verbally agreed to make the fight happen. However, the conversation quickly revealed the biggest hurdle: weight. With Haney campaigning as the 147-pound champion and Stevenson naturally a 135-pounder, the negotiation started immediately. "What Shakur do is he you'll take eight of them pounds and go up to to 44," J Prince offered, suggesting a catchweight well below the welterweight limit. Bill Haney’s response was swift and absolute. "We're not going down," he declared, pointing out the irony that he learned a key piece of boxing wisdom from Prince himself: "Once you go up, you never go back down." For Team Haney, the terms are clear: the fight happens for the welterweight crown, at the full 147-pound limit.

An Agreement in Principle: 'When The Time is Right'

Despite the stalemate on weight, the mutual respect between the two camps was palpable. J Prince made it clear they are in "no rush," preferring to let the fight marinate and build into a bigger financial event for everyone involved. "I know that time going to come but I never really wanted to rush it because I wanted to see them do as well as they doing," Prince explained. Both sides acknowledged that Shakur needs time to grow into the welterweight division properly, to "get bigger" and "get strong" before challenging a fighter of Devin Haney's caliber at 147. This isn't a dismissal of the fight; it's a strategic delay. The consensus is that the bout is an inevitability, a clash destined to happen when the stakes, and the fighters, are at their absolute peak.

Zuffa's Nine-Figure Hit List

The urgency from the Haney camp is fueled by their new partnership with Zuffa Boxing. As the transcript narrator highlights, Zuffa isn't paying a reported $100 million for tune-up fights. They paid for action, and Bill Haney arrived at their offices with a legendary "hit list" to prove their intent. The list is a who's who of boxing's elite in and around the division: Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, and of course, Shakur Stevenson. Haney is ready to defend his title against anyone at any time because that’s the Zuffa mandate. "They getting that big money because they willing to take big risks," the narrator noted. Bill Haney wants the fight now, eager to continue ticking names off his list and cementing his son's legacy while collecting massive paydays.

Diverging Paths to an Inevitable Showdown

For now, the two stars will walk separate paths. Shakur Stevenson's future is fluid, with talk of facing Junto Nakatani or even moving back down to 135 to potentially lure Gervonta Davis out of his quasi-retirement. If he campaigns at 140, as he did in his last bout, it will only be a matter of time before 147 becomes his permanent home. Meanwhile, Devin Haney has a division to clean out and a Zuffa contract to fulfill. He has positioned himself as the king of the glamour division, willing to take on all comers. While fans may be disappointed by the delay, the conversation between Haney and Prince should be seen as a promise, not a broken deal. The fight is coming. It will just happen on their terms, at the right weight and for the maximum amount of money and glory.