Shakur Stevenson has pumped the brakes following a report that he is in preliminary talks to face Devin Haney.
The two elite Americans each have a claim for pound-for-pound status, both boast undefeated records and are considered amongst the most defensively skilled operators of the modern era.
A weight class or two has always separated them, however, and Haney’s recent move to welterweight – a division which Stevenson says he may arrive at but is in no rush – seemed to make the match-up less likely.
For it to happen, Stevenson said he would want Haney to agree to a catchweight of 144lbs, the same limit he met when beating Jose Ramirez in 2025.
Today, it was reported by The Ring’s Mike Coppinger that discussions had now been opened but that weight was the sticking point, with Stevenson presumably still pushing for that condition but Haney keen on remaining at 147.
However, Stevenson has now responded to Coppinger’s claim, saying on X that there has been no contact between the teams.
“I know fans like to get excited and they could play with y’all heads and manipulate y’all easily, but that rumour is cap for the 2nd time. I haven’t heard one word about that, [I don’t know] what they [trying to] cover up or disguise, but for me and my team we haven’t heard s**t.”
Where Haney and Stevenson go next remains to be seen, with Haney reportedly considering a move to Zuffa Boxing and Stevenson still considering in which division to compete.
For now, it appears any excitement over them meeting each other inside the ropes is premature.