NEW YORK — The long-awaited clash between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson has moved closer to fruition after both fighters verbally agreed to a 145lb catchweight. The agreement, reached during an exchange on social media, resolves a public stalemate that had previously stalled negotiations for the high-profile bout.
Haney, who captured the WBO welterweight world title last November with a unanimous decision victory over Brian Norman Jr. in Riyadh, had initially insisted on a 147lb limit. Stevenson, who moved up to 140lbs and secured a world title in January by outpointing Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden, had pushed for a 144lb limit. Following a counter-offer from Haney, Stevenson confirmed the compromise, stating: “You got a deal.”
The agreement appears to have also addressed concerns regarding a potential rehydration clause, which was absent from the latest discussions. While official contracts are yet to be finalised, the resolution of the weight dispute removes the primary obstacle to the fight. Both camps are now under pressure to formalise the bout, which stands as one of the most anticipated fixtures in the American boxing calendar.