In a stark retort to Devin Haney’s allegations of “clout-chasing,” Shakur Stevenson boldly called him out at a party last weekend, asserting that Haney has finally started speaking for himself and that it's “time” for him to step into the ring. Stevenson’s remarks came on the heels of the revelation that promoter Bob Arum had given Haney three options, with Stevenson being the top pick. Arum’s preference for a Haney vs. Stevenson fight reflects his belief in it being a lucrative proposition.
However, Haney’s recent behavior has raised eyebrows in the boxing community. His pattern of evasion - fleeing the ring post his face-off with Vasiliy Lomachenko, moving up to 140, avoiding Stevenson’s name, and targeting less challenging fighters - are indicators of an apparent shift in his fighting spirit. Many fans speculate that Haney’s clash with Lomachenko in May knocked his self-confidence, causing him to stick to his lightweight titles as a security blanket, while avoiding the ‘killers’ at 140.
While promoter Eddie Hearn maintains that Haney is interested in battling WBC light welterweight champion Regis Prograis, this seems unlikely as Haney is likely to test the waters first against an easily beatable opponent. The longer Haney postpones the Shakur Stevenson bout, the more it’s perceived as him grappling with the self-doubt inflicted by the Lomachenko fight. Taking the bold step to fight Lomachenko again or face the arguably tougher Stevenson could alleviate this mental strain.
The result of the Haney-Lomachenko fight in May was received with mixed reactions, leaving many to question Haney’s victory. Public opinion appears to favor Lomachenko, painting Haney as an illegitimate champion. Hence, a rematch with Lomachenko seems like a logical choice. However, if Haney truly wants to regain his image as a fearless fighter, agreeing to a face-off with Shakur Stevenson could be the bold move he needs.
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