Shakur Stevenson Teases Fight Date After Haney Talks Collapse

Shakur Stevenson has teased an approaching fight announcement after negotiations for a bout with WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney ended without an agreement over a 144-pound catchweight. The breakdown leaves Stevenson facing a decision over his next move.

Stevenson wanted Haney to weigh 144 pounds, which would have required Haney to come down three pounds from the welterweight limit. Stevenson would have moved up four pounds for the contest. Haney held the welterweight title and had no obligation to accept terms that reduced his physical advantage.

The proposed weight also stands apart from Stevenson’s previous position in talks with Conor Benn. Stevenson had been prepared to meet Benn at the full 147-pound welterweight limit and had offered to accept Benn’s preferred rehydration restrictions during their February confrontation.

Stevenson can instead return to the 140-pound division and defend the WBO light welterweight title he won from Teofimo Lopez in January. Four leading WBO contenders are available: Emiliano Vargas, Lindolfo Delgado, Oscar Duarte and Ernesto Mercado. His next opponent will indicate whether he remains focused on welterweight opportunities or resumes his title obligations at light welterweight.

Vargas would provide the most obvious commercial angle. The 22-year-old is the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas and has reached the No. 1 ranking, but his recent wins over Bryce Mills and Agustin Ezequiel Quintana came against opponents without established world-level experience. That makes him a recognisable but less tested challenger for Stevenson.

Mercado would offer a more demanding sporting test. He has said Stevenson is avoiding him, and his speed and power could create problems in close exchanges. Stevenson has the greater professional experience, defensive ability and championship background, but a defeat by Mercado could affect the lucrative run of major purses he has collected on Turki Alalshikh’s cards. Mercado’s challenge therefore carries more risk without the commercial benefits associated with Haney or Vargas.