“When I get to 144… are we having a fight?” Haney said X.
Stevenson’s answer left little room for interpretation.
“Yes,” Shakur replied.
The exchange came shortly after Stevenson defended his proposal for a catchweight bout.
“144 is fair for 2 champions in 2 separate weight classes, Floyd and Canelo made one of the greatest fights ever at a catchweight. If you wanted the fight serious it would be easy to make, Yall fought Jose Ramirez at that weight 2 fights ago,” Shakur posted.
While some observers viewed the request as Shakur seeking a three-pound advantage over a reigning welterweight champion, Haney’s own history at the weight complicates that argument.
Haney faced Jose Ramirez at a catchweight of 144 pounds in May 2025, weighing in at 143 pounds for the contest. Rather than looking weakened by the contracted cap, Haney turned in one of his sharpest performances in years. Using his speed and timing, he controlled Ramirez throughout the bout and earned a wide unanimous decision victory.
That previous success at 144 pounds may explain why Haney was open to revisiting the weight, even though he now held the WBO welterweight title.
Shakur, meanwhile, did not hesitate to negotiate for long. Moments after publicly accepting Haney’s proposal, the undefeated champion was already looking beyond the fight itself.
“FIGHTER OF THE YEAR I TO THIS!!” says Stevenson.
He followed that prediction with another message aimed at those who questioned his standing among the sport’s elite.
“I GONE SHOW YOU HOW BIG I AM KEEP PLAYING ON MY NAME”
Defeating Haney would represent the signature victory that critics argued was missing from Shakur’s record. For Haney, agreeing to the catchweight removes one of the most cited obstacles to making the match.
Public exchanges do not guarantee that contracts will be signed, and issues such as wallets and broadcast arrangements have yet to be resolved. However, both fighters have now publicly agreed to the same weight.
Shakur’s attention quickly shifted from bargaining terms to discussing what a win over Haney could mean for his standing in the sport. The undefeated champion has already spoken of a potential Fighter of the Year campaign.
