Former undisputed lightweight champion, Devin Haney, has responded to Floyd Mayweather’s support of Shakur Stevenson after claims that Haney priced his rival out of a mega-fight.
Haney and Stevenson seemed destined to collide after the former made a second successful defence of his undisputed crown, closely outpointing the much-loved Vasily Lomachenko.
However, talks broke down after Stevenson declined Haney’s offer of 25% of the fight purse.
Since then, Mayweather has shown support for Stevenson, stating that Haney should be looking after his fellow ‘black fighters.’
In an interview with The MMA Hour, Haney wasn’t fazed by Mayweather’s comments, but did have a slight dig at the hypocrisy of ‘The Best Ever’, who proved to be savvy around the negotiation table both during and after his professional career.
“Floyd has a right to his own opinion, just like everybody else. He’s no different than anybody else. Was it fair when he gave Andre Berto the short end of the stick and Andre Berto got less?”
Haney went on to claim that his rival wanted a 50/50 split – something he as undisputed champion deemed wildly unfair – but also admitted that he is still open to the all-American showdown after his bid to become a two-division world champion against Regis Prograis.
“Right now, my main focus is Regis Prograis. Once I get past him, I’m willing to fight anybody, whenever, wherever and I have proven that! The last thing that I have done is duck any fights, look at Shakur’s résumé and look at my résumé, who has fought the tougher opposition, me or him? If anybody is the one that’s ducking it’s him.”
Prograis-Haney takes place on December 9 for the WBC Super-Lightweight Title, but the fact that Haney has chosen not to vacate three of the four lightweight belts suggests that his time at 135lbs is not over yet.