Stevenson Responds to Haney Callout with a Warning

It’s not a signed contract, but it’s definitely not a “no”. By ignoring the mention of Keyshawn Davis and avoiding any talk of dates, Shakur left the warning hanging there. He responded to the statement without inviting Haney to the negotiating table. It’s a deliberate move to keep his position unchanged while making sure the message is received loud and clear.

The timing is perfect for a big fight to be announced, especially since Shakur is currently unopposed after his victory over Teofimo Lopez last Saturday night.

Although a fight with Conor Benn was on the table, those talks went nowhere when Stevenson refused to go on a redraft clause. That particular need effectively removed Benn from the equation for now. This leaves Shakur’s streak open for another big name to step up if the terms are right.

If this fight does happen, don’t expect a repeat of Teofimo’s master class. Haney won’t let Shakur sit out and pick on him like Lopez did. Instead, he uses his reach and a spike attached to stop the enemy on the edge of his punches. Haney doesn’t mind a boring fight. He will happily fire rounds without a trade, use his line to calm things down and use it until his partner is frustrated.

That infectious approach is exactly what makes things difficult for Shakur. Haney is determined to win rounds at the thinnest point, which puts a heavy burden on his opponent to create offense without getting caught. If this conversation turns into a reality, the outcome will depend on who is willing to accept that heavy weight and sustain it over twelve rounds of mental warfare.