Shakur Stevenson says he would be willing to move up to 140 in 2025 to fight Devin Haney because he feels “appeal to the public. » The timing is not ideal for a fight between Haney and Shakur to happen next year.

Former two-division world champion Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) was on the right track, picking the opposition to beat to win two-division world titles. However, Devin, 26, has not been seen since being defeated by Ryan Garcia on April 20, and there are many questions surrounding his ability to come back from that defeat.

Shakur vs. Haney in 2025?

Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) already has a full plate ahead of him for 2025, with a title defense of his WBC lightweight belt against novice Floyd Schofield on the Feb. 22 Turki Alalashikh card in Riyadh and then potentially a title fight against #1 contender William Zepeda in summer.

A third fight against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in 2025 is also possible, provided the match can be negotiated. The question of money will determine whether Tank agrees to fight Shakur. Tank should be made a massive offer.

“We could fight the fight. It all depends on Devin too. I am ready to fight any fighter. They called me three times to negotiate. I’m willing to go up to 140 because I think Devin Haney is a crowd pleaser, and I think that would make sense,” Shakur Stevenson told Bet on yourself podcast when asked if he would be interested in fighting Devin Haney.

“Whatever you’ve seen from me, you’ll see a better version on February 22,” Shakur said of his title defense against novice Floyd Schofield in Riyadh. “I said if Zepeda avoided me, I would fight him. A lot of casual fans know this kid and think he’s a good fighter.

“I also want to beat those who like casuals. If casuals like this guy. I’m going to beat a casual favorite,” Shakur said of why he chose Schofield as his next opponent.

Shakur’s next fight

It’s interesting to hear Shakur explain why he chose 22-year-old Schofield as his next opponent instead of the more dangerous Andy Cruz or Raymond Muratalla.

Saying he focuses on what casuals like is a weak argument for why Shakur chose Schofield over Muratalla. Stevenson appears to have chosen Floyd Jr. because it is an easy, risk-free fight. Schofield is an inexperienced prospect who has looked beatable in his recent struggles against second-tier opposition.

After Shakur’s close match against Edwin De Los Santos last year, in which he almost lost, he is not taking any chances to fight well and risks seeing this Tank fight disappear.

Shakur wants the pot of gold he can get from fighting Gervonta Davis, and if he faces Cruz or Muratalla, he could get beaten. This gold bar disappears at that moment.