Despite being a similar age, from the same country and amongst the most skilled fighters in the sport, it’s clear Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson will never be the best of friends.
Negotiations for the pair to lock horns for the undisputed lightweight world championship, then held by Haney, went publicly sour after Stevenson rejected a 25% share of the purse.
On a recent appearance on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Haney discussed the saga and Stevenson’s decision to decline the fight which, unsurprisingly prompted a heated reply on social media from the former Olympic silver medalist.
“Lying just like his daddy..I can’t push nobody out of position that’s the undisputed champion, Only way he could move out of position if he make the CHOICE to move out of position like he did.. He chose to move up and fight Regis because he felt that was a easier option.”
Though it may be on the back burner for now, it feels like an inevitability that Haney and Stevenson will lock horns down the line and be able to settle their differences once and for all.
Both men have more pressing issues at hand, however, so can ill afford to be distracted by social media back and forth.
Haney will move up to super lightweight to challenge for Regis Prograis’ WBC world title on December 9th, in one of the standout dates of the American boxing calendar for the winter period.
Stevenson gets the opportunity to become a three weight world champion and cement his status as a pound for pound star on November 16th, when he takes on Dominican contender Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant WBC lightweight strap.