In the booming lightweight division, a match up between undisputed champion Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson is one of the very best to be made.
Stevenson has incessantly called for a shot at Haney, and was straight in the ring following ‘The Dream’s win over Vasiliy Lomachenko at the MGM Grand last month.
However, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has poured ice on the prospect of the all American clash happening next, citing Haney’s issues at the weight alongside the harsh reality that the fight isn’t huge commercially.
Whilst appearing on the DAZN Boxing Show, Hearn said:
“We know how tight he [Haney] is at 135lbs, he’s been tight for about five years.
Also, once you’ve become undisputed at one weight, he wants legacy, he wants to become a two weight world champion.
The reality is, the Shakur Stevenson fight isn’t that big, and it’s a really tough fight. Shakur’s established himself as arguably number one, without really fighting anyone of note in the division.
But he’s a great talent.”
Haney’s next move remains unclear at this stage, although discussions are ongoing regarding a fight with WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis, who happens to be a recent signing for Hearn.
If Haney does leave the lightweight division behind, Stevenson is one of a host of fighters well placed to pounce on the four major world titles that would become vacant.
The Olympic silver medalist impressed in his first outing at 135lbs against Shuichiro Yoshino earlier this year, and many feel it is only a matter of time until he adds to the world titles he picked up at both featherweight and super feather.