Devin Haney’s father and trainer, Bill Haney, revealed significant hurdles in securing highly anticipated bouts for his son, particularly a Devin Haney Shakur Stevenson fight. Speaking to Ring Magazine on July 2, 2026, Bill Haney outlined the complexities of matching his undefeated son against other top-tier contenders.
The core issue, according to Haney, lies with Shakur Stevenson’s apparent lack of response to a proposed 144 lb weight agreement. This comes amidst a swirling landscape of potential opponents for Devin Haney, including high-profile names like Gervonta Davis and Keyshawn Davis.
Stevenson’s silence frustrates Haney camp
The proposed 144 lb weight agreement for a showdown with Shakur Stevenson has gone unanswered. This point of clear frustration for Bill Haney was openly discussed during his interview.
Devin Haney had publicly offered this specific weight. It was a clear challenge to Stevenson and the broader boxing world. “Shakur hasn’t responded to the 144 lb agreement [he proposed], that Devin Haney said he would have with him,” Bill Haney stated.
Unanswered 144-pound challenge
“He put it on there for the people and we haven’t gotten an answer or a response,” Bill Haney continued. This perceived silence underscores the difficulty in bringing two of boxing’s most skilled operators into the ring.
The specific 144 lb proposal was a strategic move by the Haney camp. It aimed at removing a potential barrier for a fight with Stevenson. Its lack of acknowledgment suggests a deeper reluctance or an alternative strategy from Stevenson’s side.
The challenge of getting Stevenson in the ring
This inaction by Stevenson, according to Bill Haney, makes the logistical challenge far greater than the actual in-ring contest. It’s a common theme in boxing, where accusations of fighters avoiding bouts often complicate potential mega-fights.
Bill Haney went further, suggesting that securing the fight itself would be the hardest part of a potential clash with Stevenson. He believes Devin Haney would find the actual contest less demanding than the negotiation process.
“Listen, it’s harder to get him in the ring. It’s been a fight to get him in the ring,” Haney explained. He drew a contrast between Stevenson’s early training at his grandfather’s garage and the “big professors” like Floyd Mayweather Sr., Roger, and Eddie Mustafa who taught Devin Haney.
Gervonta Davis remains Haney’s top target
Despite the ongoing difficulties surrounding a potential Devin Haney Shakur Stevenson fight, Bill Haney confirmed that Gervonta Davis remains the number one priority for Devin’s next move. This high-stakes matchup has been a long-standing point of discussion.
“On the list, Tank Davis, he sits at probably #1,” Bill Haney said, referring to Davis by his popular nickname. He added that the discussions with Al Haymon have made the possibility of this fight “even more real.”
“Tank” Davis prioritised and “real” discussions
The Haney camp sees the potential Gervonta Davis fight as a genuine and significant challenge. It’s a bout that has garnered immense fan interest. Such a win could further cement Devin Haney’s status at the top of the sport.
Intriguingly, Bill Haney noted that no discussions about dehydration or rehydration clauses have arisen in talks with Davis’s team. This suggests a willingness for a straightforward negotiation. The focus is squarely on the fight itself.
Undetermined weight for Davis bout, minimum 144 lbs
While the specific weight for a potential clash with Gervonta Davis is still to be determined, Bill Haney was firm on one point. He insisted that the fight should be fair, and no opponent would compete at a weight under 144 lbs.
“What I think it should be is a fair fight and that weight is to be determined but it won’t be anything under 144 lbs for nobody in the world,” Haney declared. This statement establishes a clear boundary for future negotiations.
WBO order brings Keyshawn Davis into focus
Adding another layer to Devin Haney’s busy schedule, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) recently ordered him to defend his title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis. This development ensures Davis will feature prominently in Haney’s immediate plans.
Bill Haney responded to the WBO’s order with a touch of sarcasm. He highlighted the financial benefits of mandatory defences. He joked about being “forced to buy more Rolls Royces, houses, and all the other things” that come with such high-profile bouts.
Mandatory defence ordered by WBO
The WBO’s decision means that Keyshawn Davis’s welterweight debut could well be a title shot against Devin Haney. This creates an immediate, clear path for Davis. It also sidesteps the often-complex negotiations involved in voluntary defences.
While mandatory challenges can sometimes be seen as less glamorous, Bill Haney views Keyshawn Davis as a legitimate threat. He respects Davis’s abilities, ensuring the fight will be taken seriously by the Haney team.
Davis always on Haney’s radar
Keyshawn Davis has been on the Haney camp’s radar even before becoming a mandatory challenger. Bill Haney acknowledged Davis as a “heck of a fighter,” suggesting genuine respect for his skills and potential.
This upcoming bout presents another crucial opportunity for Devin Haney to further solidify his legacy. It’s a step, according to his father, that moves him “closer to the Mount Rushmore of boxing,” a group reserved for the sport’s all-time greats.
Other major contenders on Haney’s list
Beyond the immediate priorities of Gervonta Davis and Keyshawn Davis, Bill Haney also shared his thoughts on other significant names in the boxing landscape. Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Ryan Garcia are also on the Haney camp’s extensive list of potential future opponents.
Ennis seen as a beatable puzzle
Bill Haney views Jaron “Boots” Ennis as a formidable, yet beatable, opponent. He believes Devin Haney possesses the stylistic tools necessary to overcome Ennis, referencing previous opponents who troubled him.
“When I saw him, I saw a fighter that can be beat by a style that Devin has,” Haney explained. He specifically noted that Ennis faced problems when Xander was boxing him. This suggests that a high boxing IQ is key to defeating him.
The Haney team is confident in their ability to adapt to any challenge. Bill Haney believes Ennis would be “one of the most difficult puzzles” for them to solve. He highlighted the strategic approach they take to opponent analysis.
Ryan Garcia fight contingent on VADA testing
A fight with Ryan Garcia is respectfully on the Haney camp’s list, but it sits further down at #10. Bill Haney outlined specific conditions that would need to be met for such a high-profile matchup to materialise.
He expressed a desire for Garcia to demonstrate greater maturity. Garcia also needs to be more effectively guided by his team. These are crucial elements for engaging in a top-tier boxing encounter, especially after recent high-profile incidents.
Crucially, Bill Haney demanded Garcia participate in the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) program. He called for a “significant amount of time” for testing. This ensures fair play and rebuilds confidence in Garcia’s readiness to compete cleanly at the elite level.
Devin Haney’s ranked list of potential opponents
Bill Haney indicated that Devin Haney
