“We are ready, willing and able to defend our 147-pound welterweight title at any given time,” Bill told the Million Dollaz worth of play Youtube site about a fight between Devin and Shakur.
The conversation turned to whether Shakur could move up from lightweight for a showdown with Devin. Bill rejected the idea of ​​meeting halfway at 144 pounds if the fight was going to represent Devin’s position at welterweight.
“If it’s at a catchweight of 144, then it won’t be for the belt,” Bill said. “We’re not going to drop any more pounds.”
Bill also argued that a fight at 147 would carry more historical value for both fighters, especially if Shakur moves up and wins another title.
“I think it’s a great fight at 147 pounds when they’re ready to go,” Bill says.
The weight issue has become one of the biggest talking points surrounding a potential Haney-Stevenson fight after Shakur recently denied reports that serious negotiations had taken place between the two sides.
Bill continued to praise Stevenson during the interview, describing him as one of boxing’s elite talents.
“Shakur is a bad (fighter) at 144, and he’s a bad (fighter) at 147 for anybody,” Bill said. “Shakur is a badass (fighter), and he’ll cook 99.9% of everybody else.”
Haney’s team appears to be focused on staying at welterweight following Devin’s recent increase in weight, while Stevenson continues to campaign at lightweight and junior welterweight.
Bill also suggested that Devin had already physically outgrown the lower divisions after years of difficult weight loss.
The fight could become easier to make if both fighters end up under the same promotional banner, with recent speculation linking both Haney and Stevenson to Zuffa Boxing.
