Bill Haney Challenges Shakur Stevenson to Pursue WBO Welterweight Title as Mandatory Challenger Bill Haney has issued a direct challenge to Shakur Stevenson, urging the undefeated welterweight contender to pursue the WBO title by accepting the role of a mandatory challenger. The proposal, which carries significant financial implications, centers on Stevenson’s decision to target Devin Haney’s WBO welterweight title rather than revisiting a previously discussed 144-pound catchweight bout. Haney’s demand is framed as a continuation of a strategy that previously involved Keyshawn Davis, who was ordered to challenge Devin Haney under similar terms. Under the proposed scenario, Stevenson would face the same purse split that Davis received when mandated to challenge Devin Haney. That arrangement granted the champion 75 percent of the winning purse bid, leaving the mandatory challenger with only 25 percent. Haney’s frustration appears to stem from Stevenson’s prior involvement with Davis, whom he accused of failing to secure a title shot. In a public statement on X, Haney criticized Stevenson for sending Davis on what he called a “dummy mission” and now demanded that Stevenson follow the same path. “You sent Keyshawn to the WBO to become the mandatory. Now Shakur, go to the WBO, do what your little brother did, and take the fade, or admit you sent him on a dummy mission,” Haney wrote. “We’re not dropping nothing but our nuts. We’ll defend the WBO title against whoever the WBO puts in front of us. Make yourself the mandatory, Shakur.” Stevenson responded by defending Davis, emphasizing that the younger fighter made his own decisions. He also highlighted an existing agreement for a 144-pound fight with Zuffa Boxing, a deal that Haney did not address directly.#devin_haney #wbo #shakur_stevenson #zuffa_boxing #bill_haney
