Shakur insisted on a 144-pound catchweight rather than moving up to challenge Haney at the 147-pound limit. That requirement created an obstacle Devin, as the champion in the division, had little reason to accept for a challenger coming up from light welterweight.
It was not the first hurdle Stevenson placed in front of the matchup. He previously wanted Haney to vacate his WBO title and later pushed for him to face Keyshawn Davis instead.
When Keyshawn declined the WBO opportunity, the door opened again for Shakur to pursue Haney. Shakur returned to his 144-pound demand and refused to budge.
That makes his reference to “things outside of your control” difficult to separate from his own decisions during the negotiations. Stevenson could not dictate Haney’s response, but he controlled the terms he demanded.
Bill Haney posted a message of his own Friday.
“Watch ya mouth, it ain’t too late?” Bill posted on X several hours before Stevenson’s message.
Neither man identified the other, so there is no confirmation that the posts were connected. Still, Shakur’s comments arrive after his frustration with the failed Haney fight became increasingly public.
If Stevenson wanted the championship at 147, accepting the full division limit would have removed the biggest obstacle. Instead, the fight disappeared with Shakur still holding out for 144.
