Calvin Ford, the trainer for Gervonta Davis, has dismissed the competitive threat posed by Shakur Stevenson in a potential showdown with Devin Haney. In a video assessment released on June 20, 2026, Ford offered a blunt critique of the matchup, stating emphatically that “SHAKUR IS NO THREAT!” to Haney.
The veteran coach’s comments come as negotiations continue for a pound-for-pound clash between the two unbeaten stars, likely to be contested at a 144-pound catchweight. Ford suggested that Devin Haney might be willing to take the risk of the fight precisely because Shakur Stevenson lacks the concussive power typical of the division’s top punchers.
While acknowledging both men are elite technicians, Ford told Fight Hub TV that Haney would likely operate with confidence. “It’s not like he’s going in against a puncher,” Ford explained, adding that Haney is a “good boxer” while Stevenson is a “master at what he does,” yet the lack of physical danger remains the deciding factor for the larger man.
Calvin Ford questions Stevenson’s standing against elite punchers
Ford’s dismissal of Stevenson as a threat marks a shift from his previous assessments of the Newark native. In April 2023, Ford told BoxingScene.com that Stevenson “has value” and at one point suggested he was “more that guy” than Haney, who then only held belts due to better opportunities.
However, recent developments have changed that tune. On May 18, 2026, Ford remarked that he would prefer a Davis vs. Stevenson fight over a Davis vs. Haney matchup because Shakur Stevenson is still on a winning streak. He noted Stevenson has dismissed an immediate move to welterweight in the past, choosing instead to find his footing at super-lightweight.
Despite this preference, Ford maintains that both Stevenson and Haney must “prove themselves from a business standpoint” before they can justify the massive purses required to face Gervonta Davis. By labeling Stevenson as “no threat” to Haney, Ford appears to be challenging the 20-0 fighter to demonstrate more than just defensive mastery.
The 144-pound catchweight and WBO title complications
The proposed fight between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson has been centered on a 144-pound catchweight agreement. Haney, who currently holds the WBO welterweight title at 147 lbs, publicly agreed to the 3-pound sacrifice on social media. Stevenson has insisted on the 144-pound limit, citing Haney’s history of fighting Jose Ramirez at that weight.
Accepting this catchweight could have significant consequences for Haney’s standing with the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Fighting below the welterweight limit may force Haney to forgo the right to retain his title. Furthermore, the sanctioning body is already moving toward naming Keyshawn Davis as the mandatory challenger for Haney’s 147-pound belt.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri recently indicated that Keyshawn Davis is next in line for a title shot. This mandatory obligation makes a fight with Stevenson difficult to finalize unless Haney chooses to vacate his position. Bill Haney, Devin’s father, mentioned on June 17 that if the Stevenson deal fails, Keyshawn Davis remains a primary option for his son’s next defense.
Promotional hurdles and the Zuffa Boxing factor
The business side of the matchup remains in a state of flux as both fighters explore promotional free agency. Stevenson has been linked to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, a venture that reportedly does not recognize the 140-pound super-lightweight division where Stevenson currently holds the WBO belt. This makes a move toward 144 lbs or the full 147-pound limit a logical progression for his career.
According to Bill Haney on June 15, 2026, Stevenson has allegedly signed to fight Devin but has yet to return the specific 144-pound bout agreement sent by Zuffa Boxing. While fans roast Stevenson for social media posts regarding his career trajectory, the lack of a signed contract continues to stall the process.
Stevenson remains a significant commercial draw, consistently pulling crowds of over 10,000 at the Prudential Center in Newark. Whether he can leverage that popularity into a victory against a physically imposing Haney—whose record stands at 33-0-1NC with 15 KOs—remains the central question of the boxing world.
A clash of pound-for-pound technicians
If the fight occurs, it will be a high-stakes meeting between two masters of the “hit and don’t get hit” philosophy. Stevenson, a former champion at featherweight, junior lightweight, and lightweight, now holds the WBO title at 140 lbs. He carries a perfect 20-0 record with 10 KOs and a reputation for unparalleled ring IQ.
Haney brings the experience of being a multi-division titleholder and possesses the physical advantages that Ford believes will neutralize Stevenson’s skills. As the two sides continue to trade jabs on social media, Ford’s “no threat” verdict adds another layer of pressure. Both fighters must now decide if the prestige of the matchup outweighs the risk of losing their respective standings in the divisional hierarchies.
