Devin Haney has reignited talks of a potential superfight with Shakur Stevenson following a social media confrontation with Keyshawn Davis on June 8, 2026. The WBO welterweight champion dismissed Davis’s claim that a Haney-Davis bout would be the biggest event of the year, instead pointing to Stevenson as the more significant attraction.
This pivot comes as the WBO recently elevated Keyshawn Davis to the No. 1 position at welterweight, making him the mandatory challenger for Haney’s belt.
The exchange began when Keyshawn Davis posted to social media, “Davis Vs Haney, the biggest fight of the year.⭐️” Devin Haney was quick to reply, clarifying his view on the divisional pecking order. “Me vs. Shakur.. is the biggest,” Haney responded, before adding that a fight with Davis “would be big tho.”
The remark highlights a clear preference for the long-awaited clash with Stevenson over his mandatory obligations.
Bill Haney, who serves as Devin’s father, trainer, and CEO of DHP Devin Haney Promotions, has also played a role in the renewed focus on Stevenson. On June 4, Bill Haney suggested to Davis that Stevenson was higher on their list of priorities. He described a potential “package deal” where Devin Haney would face both fighters back-to-back, provided they could reach an agreement together.
The legacy rivalry between Haney and Stevenson
A professional meeting between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson has been a primary talking point in boxing for years. Their history stretches back to the amateur circuit, and while they have often competed in neighboring weight classes, they have yet to square off. The friction between the two camps recently intensified when com/shakur-stevenson-fans-roast-social-media-post-authenticity/”>fans roast Shakur Stevenson online, yet he remains the WBO junior welterweight champion and a top-tier target for Haney.
In 2023, while both fighters were at lightweight, negotiations reportedly collapsed over purse splits. Reports at the time indicated Team Haney offered Stevenson a 25% split for an undisputed title fight, which Stevenson rejected as “chump change.” Recently, Stevenson took to X on June 2 to deny that a formal offer for an undisputed fight ever existed, calling those stories “lies.”
Weight remains the most significant logistical hurdle for the matchup. Stevenson has previously suggested a catchweight of 144 pounds, but the Haney camp has historically insisted on the full welterweight limit of 147 pounds. Additionally, Haney has pushed for rehydration clauses in past discussions to manage the physical dimensions of the fight. While com/shakur-stevenson-devin-haney-fight-update-welterweight-move/”>Shakur Stevenson dismisses immediate Devin Haney fight talk when focusing on his own 140-pound title, the public demand for the clash persists.
Keyshawn Davis pursuit of the welterweight title
Keyshawn Davis has significantly increased his pursuit of Devin Haney since being named the WBO’s top contender. Despite his ranking, Davis has expressed some hesitation about interfering with his peer’s career goals.
In prior social media comments, Davis noted he was not interested in “stepping on” Stevenson’s toes if the Haney-Stevenson fight was the priority, though his recent “biggest fight” post suggests he is now ready to push for his shot.
Bill Haney’s stance on these challenges has fluctuated in recent days. While he initially told Davis that Stevenson was the priority, he later told Cigar Talk on June 5 that Devin Haney was targeting other big names.
He specifically mentioned Jaron “Boots” Ennis, Sebastian Fundora, and Vergil Ortiz as the types of opponents the champion wants next, notably omitting Stevenson and Ryan Garcia from that particular list.
Rumors of Zuffa Boxing involvement and future plans
The landscape of these negotiations may be shifting due to rumored involvement from Zuffa Boxing. On June 4, reports surfaced suggesting that both Haney and Stevenson may have agreed to join the new promotion.
Some sources claim that Zuffa Boxing views a Haney-Stevenson bout as its preferred flagship matchup, though Stevenson has since pushed back against these reports, calling much of the social media speculation “cap.”
As of June 8, 2026, neither fighter has an official date on the calendar. Stevenson still holds the WBO junior welterweight title and has been linked to potential bouts with Gervonta “Tank” Davis or Lamont Roach. Meanwhile, Devin Haney is navigating his status as WBO welterweight champion without a confirmed opponent. Previously, com/rolando-romero-ends-devin-haney-talks-calls-him-most-hyped-b/”>Rolando Romero was in the conversation for a Haney fight, but those talks ended with Romero calling the champion “hyped.”
Whether Haney’s latest response to Davis is a genuine signal of intent or a promotional tactic remains to be seen. If the two camps can move past the 2023 purse disputes and the current weight class disagreements, a Haney-Stevenson fight would likely be the most significant domestic matchup in the United States.
For now, the mandatories and the rumors of a new promotional home continue to dominate the welterweight conversation.
