Bill Haney, the father and trainer of Devin Haney, confirmed in a recent interview that Shakur Stevenson remains the absolute priority for his son’s next fight. Speaking to the Sean Zittel YouTube channel on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Bill Haney dismissed long-standing rumors that financial demands or weight issues were preventing the high-profile matchup from being finalized.
The elder Haney emphasized that Devin Haney has already agreed to meet Shakur Stevenson at a 144-pound catchweight to facilitate the bout. This move is designed to settle the “number one” spot in the sport, according to Bill Haney, who insists that all legacy and monetary hurdles have been cleared from their side of the table.
The timing of these statements is significant as the World Boxing Organization (WBO) moves closer to enforcing a mandatory title defense. While Shakur Stevenson dismisses immediate Devin Haney fight talk on occasion, Bill Haney maintains that the 144-pound agreement should leave no further excuses for the Stevenson camp.
Addressing weight and money rumors in Stevenson negotiations
Bill Haney used his appearance on the Sean Zittel channel to explicitly “dispel the rumor” that the fight was stalled by financial disagreements. He also rejected the idea that weight was currently a sticking point, citing the 144-pound compromise as proof of their willingness to make the fight happen.
“All the components are intact for this to be a mega fight,” the trainer stated during the interview. He questioned what is specifically stopping Shakur Stevenson from signing the contract now that the technical requirements have been addressed by the Haney camp.
Public pressure has mounted on both fighters as fans grow weary of strategic delays in the welterweight division. This frustration often leads to social media backlash, such as when fans roast Shakur Stevenson over his posturing regarding his career path and willingness to face elite-level opposition.
Keyshawn Davis as the secondary option for Devin Haney
If negotiations with Shakur Stevenson eventually collapse, Bill Haney confirmed that Keyshawn Davis is the next names on their list. This pivot is largely fueled by the WBO’s internal movement toward naming Davis as the mandatory challenger for Devin Haney’s welterweight title.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri indicated that Davis is next in line for a title shot. Although an official order has not been issued as of Thursday, June 18, 2026, the sanctioning body’s stance makes a fight with Davis a regulatory requirement that the Haney camp cannot ignore for long.
“If it’s not Shakur, then it’s Keyshawn,” Bill Haney said, acknowledging the depth of the current talent pool. However, he was quick to mention that while he might eventually walk away from the Stevenson chase to fulfill other obligations, he is “not walking away today.”
The proposed two-contract structure for Stevenson and Davis
During the discussion, Bill Haney revealed a previous attempt to secure both high-level opponents through a complex multi-fight agreement. The Haney team proposed two separate contracts under one single agreement that would have effectively forced the challengers to go after each other as well.
This approach was intended to streamline the division’s top tier and ensure a clear narrative for the fans. Despite this effort, the focus has reverted to securing a single opponent, with Shakur Stevenson remaining the primary target ahead of any mandatory requirements.
The interview reportedly ended on a tense note when Bill Haney was asked for a specific deadline regarding the Stevenson talks. Journalist Sean Zittel noted on X that the trainer ended the session just as they were attempting to get details on how much longer the team would wait before moving on to the Davis fight.
August deadline looms for WBO mandatory defense
While the focus is currently on the Stevenson mega-fight, the business of boxing requires adherence to sanctioning body schedules. The current landscape for the welterweight champion includes several critical benchmarks that must be met by late summer.
- Devin Haney vs. Keyshawn Davis: WBO mandatory welterweight title defense, reportedly due in August 2026.
- WBO Official Order: Official notification for the Davis mandatory defense is currently TBC by President Gustavo Olivieri.
- Catchweight Deadline: Final window for Shakur Stevenson to accept the 144-pound terms before the Davis fight takes precedence.
The strategy from the Haney camp appears to be a calculated gamble on forcing Shakur Stevenson into the ring before the WBO intervenes. If Stevenson does not move, Devin Haney will likely be forced into the August defense against Keyshawn Davis to maintain his status as a WBO world champion.
For now, Bill Haney remains adamant that they have done everything possible to secure the fight the public wants. By removing the weight and money excuses, they have shifted the burden of proof to the Stevenson camp to show they are equally committed to making the fight a reality.
