Stevenson responds with warning to Haney exclamation

It wasn’t exactly a signed contract, but it certainly wasn’t a “no” either. By ignoring the mention of Keyshawn Davis and avoiding any mention of dates, Shakur left the warning hanging there. He responded to the comment without actually inviting Haney to the negotiating table. It was a deliberate move to keep his position unchanged while making sure the message was received loud and clear.

The timing is perfect for a massive fight to materialize, especially since Shakur is currently without an opponent following his dominant win over Teofimo Lopez last Saturday night.

While a fight with Conor Benn was briefly on the table, those talks went nowhere once Stevenson refused to budge on a rehydration clause. That particular claim effectively removed Benn from the equation for the time being. That leaves Shakur’s schedule wide open for another big name to step up if the terms are right.

If this fight actually happens, don’t expect a repeat of the Teofimo masterclass. Haney won’t let Shakur sit on the outside and pick him apart like Lopez did. Instead, he uses his reach and a slap kick to pin opponents on the end of his punches. Haney doesn’t mind a boring fight. He’ll happily burn through rounds without trading, using his range to keep things quiet and methodical until his opponent gets frustrated.

That patient approach is exactly what makes things difficult for Shakur. Haney is willing to win rounds by the thinnest of margins, putting a heavy burden on his opponent to create offense without getting caught. If this conversation becomes a reality, the outcome will likely depend on who is willing to accept that tactical weight and maintain it over twelve rounds of mental warfare.