NEW YORK — Negotiations for the highly anticipated bout between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have encountered a fresh obstacle, despite both fighters publicly agreeing to a 145lbs catchweight late last month. While the removal of a rehydration clause initially appeared to clear a path for the fight, the deal remains unsigned as discussions have stalled over financial terms.
The impasse follows social media activity from Bill Haney, Devin's father and trainer, who suggested that communication from Stevenson’s camp had ceased. Mike Coppinger of Ring Magazine has since confirmed that the current hold-up is primarily financial, though he expressed optimism that the deal will eventually be finalised. Consequently, a previously discussed 28 November date in Atlanta is now considered highly unlikely.
Should the contest proceed, it would pit two of the sport's most prominent technicians against one another. Stevenson enters the potential match-up following his victory over Teofimo Lopez for the WBO super-lightweight world title, while Haney demonstrated his comfort at welterweight last November by securing a unanimous decision victory over Brian Norman Jr. If the current weight terms hold, Haney is expected to maintain a significant size advantage on fight night.