Shakur Stevenson recently expressed his willingness to step in and replace Ryan Garcia as Devin Haney’s opponent for the upcoming fight on April 20th. However, Haney’s dad, Bill Haney, dismissed the idea of Shakur as an opponent, stating that he “brings nothing to the table.” This led Shakur to believe that there might be a sense of fear behind the rejection.
In response to Shakur’s comments, Devin Haney addressed the situation by pointing out that Shakur is currently fighting in the 140-weight class, not the 135-weight class where Haney competes. Haney suggested that Shakur should focus on fighters in the lightweight division instead of calling him out. Interestingly, Haney himself has been calling out fighters from different weight classes, such as Gervonta Davis, which adds a touch of hypocrisy to his remarks.
Despite the back and forth between the two camps, Shakur Stevenson remains determined and confident in his abilities. He boldly stated that he is willing to fight both Haney and his father whenever they are ready to make the match happen. Shakur even hinted at Haney’s reluctance to fight him, implying that it might stem from a fear of losing and jeopardizing his marketability in the lightweight division.
Shakur’s offer to replace Ryan Garcia as Haney’s opponent could have significant implications for the reigning WBC light welterweight champion. Choosing Shakur as an opponent could potentially improve Haney’s PPV numbers and bolster his negotiating power for future fights. On the other hand, avoiding a fight with Shakur may reflect a reluctance to take on risky challenges that could threaten Haney’s current position in the division.
The ongoing saga between Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney offers an intriguing glimpse into the world of boxing rivalries and negotiations. While Shakur remains eager to step up and prove himself against Haney, the champion’s response hints at a reluctance to engage in a potentially career-altering fight. It remains to be seen whether Haney will ultimately agree to face Shakur in the ring, or if this will be yet another missed opportunity for an exciting matchup in the world of boxing.