Devin Haney vs Shakur Stevenson hits stumbling block as world title ultimatum set

If Devin Haney wants to fight Shakur Stevenson, he will have to give up his WBO welterweight title first.

That is the stance of the WBO Championship Committee, which reiterated this week that Haney must face his mandatory Keyshawn Davis next.

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It comes after pound-for-pound stars Haney and Stevenson agreed via social media to meet at a 144lbs catchweight.

WBO super lightweight champion Stevenson wrote on X on Thursday: “144 [pounds] is fair for two champions in two separate weight classes.

“Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Canelo Alvarez made one of the biggest fights ever happen at a catchweight.

“If y’all seriously wanted the fight, it would be easy to make.

“Y’all fought Jose Ramirez at that weight two fights ago.”

Haney replied: “If I come to 144, we have a fight?”

Stevenson bluntly responded: “Yes.”

Moments later, he added: “FIGHTER OF THE YEAR ME AFTER THIS!!”

While Haney has made it clear that a bout with Stevenson trumps Davis in magnitude, the WBO’s order may prove an effective deterrent.

On Monday, Haney appeared to accept that he would have to wait until after his mandatory obligation, reportedly due in August, to box Stevenson.

“Whenever you decide to come to ‘my weight class’, let’s do it!” said Haney.

“I’ll fight your brother Keyshawn Davis for now.”

That was, of course, before the idea of a 144lbs catchweight was floated around.

Davis bites back

Watching on from the sidelines, a miffed Davis quipped: “[Haney would] rather lose more weight than get in the ring with The Businessman.

“I’m your mandatory bro, stop trying to make other fights.”

Haney fired back: “Sit this one out too Key … Me versus Shakur is the biggest [fight of the year]. Our fight would be big, though.”

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Brotherly quarrel

Former WBO lightweight champion Davis was installed as the WBO’s new No.1 contender earlier this month after informing the major sanctioning body of his intention to move up to 147lbs.

‘The Businessman’ is a close friend of Stevenson and told talkSPORT.com last year that he would never fight his pal, no matter the circumstances.

However, the pair are now tussling for the same fight, and neither seems willing to back down.

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