The Haney negotiations give critics plenty to examine. Shakur insisted on a 144-pound catchweight rather than challenging Devin at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. Once Bill Haney made it clear that his son would only compete at the full divisional limit, Stevenson abandoned his pursuit shortly afterward.
That was Shakur’s decision. Haney didn’t refuse the matchup altogether. The disagreement was over Stevenson wanting the champion to come down three pounds.
There are other available opponents Shakur has shown little interest in pursuing. O’Shaquie Foster climbed into the ring after defeating Shakur’s friend Raymond Ford, yet Stevenson has shown no desire to turn that encounter into a fight.
At light welterweight, Shakur has not been calling for Ernesto Mercado or Oscar Duarte, two contenders who would give him credible opposition without requiring a move to welterweight.
Andy Cruz is another intriguing name at lightweight if Shakur were willing to return to 135 pounds. The Cuban is one of the division’s most technically skilled fighters, but his name has not figured into Stevenson’s recent plans.
Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela is another option, particularly because both fighters are with Zuffa Boxing. Shakur publicly rejected that fight when it was brought up, despite the promotional connection making it one of the easier deals to arrange.
That leaves an obvious question behind Shakur’s latest message. If “evidence” is supposed to silence his critics, they can examine his opponent choices and reach a very different conclusion.
The most effective response would be choosing one of those contenders and settling the argument in the ring.
