The WBO’s decision to schedule a July 27 purse bid for Devin Haney’s mandatory welterweight title defense against Keyshawn Davis has shortened Haney’s timetable. Instead of chasing Shakur Stevenson, Haney would be better served keeping his title and fighting Keyshawn. Keeping the title is the smarter move.
Haney gains nothing by giving up the WBO belt before he even knows if a deal with Shakur can be reached. Stevenson has insisted on a 144-pound catchweight, and there is no reason for Haney to surrender one of his biggest bargaining chips before negotiations are finished.
The purse bid also creates an awkward situation for Shakur. He has publicly welcomed a Haney-Keyshawn fight, but a Haney defeat may actually work against him. Shakur and Keyshawn have repeatedly referred to each other as brothers, making a fight between them look highly unlikely. If Keyshawn wins the title, one of Shakur’s biggest available opponents disappears.
A Devin victory leaves the door open for Shakur. Haney would remain champion, the fight would still carry championship stakes, and both fighters would have another reason to keep talking. Haney would also have little reason to accept a 144-pound handicap after successfully defending his title.
If Haney vacates instead, there is still no guarantee that the Shakur fight gets made. Ryan Garcia is tied up with Conor Benn, and Benn has already rejected the idea of accepting terms that favor Shakur. Ryan also has little reason to agree to another weight restriction after the disadvantage he dealt with against Gervonta Davis.
The purse bid puts Haney on the clock, but it also exposes a flaw in Shakur’s position. Haney has far more leverage by defending his title against Keyshawn than by surrendering it in hopes of landing a fight that has not been agreed to. If Shakur wants one of the biggest fights available, keeping Haney as a champion serves his interests far better than watching Keyshawn take the belt, who he refers to as his ‘brother’ and will never fight.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/20 at 2:14 PM
