Zuffa Boxing could suddenly find himself with one of boxing’s deepest collections of talent between 140 and 147 pounds if reported talks with Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney lead to official deals.
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Stevenson was reported to be finalizing a deal with Zuffa on Thursday, while Haney continued to fuel speculation about a massive new promotional deal following recent comments from his father, Bill Haney.
If both fighters land with Zuffa, they will join a growing stable that already includes Conor Benn and Richardson Hitchins.
This would immediately create several potential in-house matches that could generate huge attention without the promotional roadblocks that often delay major boxing fights.
Mannix’s report on Friday is the strongest confirmation yet that Dana White is shifting from signing prospects and gatekeepers to collecting elite, first-year champions. If Shakur Stevenson finalizes this move, it effectively ends the “promotional purgatory” he’s been in since leaving the Top Rank.
Zuffa is quickly building a 140- to 147-pound gauntlet that resembles a UFC division. By securing Shakur, they don’t just get a technician; they get a fighter who recently dominated Teofimo Lopez in January and holds the WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight titles.
The Zuffa “Shark Tank” at 140-147 lbs
The roster is getting incredibly top heavy with talent that has struggled to get big fights under the old guard:
- Shakur Stevenson: The technical floor of the division and a sitting champion.
- Devin Haney: If that $100 million deal is real, he becomes the centerpiece. He is already a three-division champion after winning the WBO welterweight belt from Brian Norman Jr. in November. took.
- Conor Benn: The “action” fighter of the group that brings massive British eyes and a $15 million price tag.
- Richardson Hitchins: The high IQ operator who just signed and is already calling a Haney fight.
The new reality for Haney vs. Shakur
The “You’ll see” post from Haney is starting to look like a warning to the rest of the industry. For years, promoters have protected these two against each other because a loss would kill their value.
Under the Zuffa/TKO structure, bankrolled by Saudi capital and led by Nick Khan and Dana White, that protectionism usually disappears. They operate on the “League” model, where the best are forced into an internal tournament.
Key factors in a potential deal
Guaranteed Wallets: Shakur reportedly turned down $60 million for three fights in March, but Mannix indicates the new “guaranteed money” was too much to ignore. This suggests that the Zuffa offers eclipse anything that Matchroom or PBC can realistically suggest.
Sanctioning body politic: Zuffa have already shown they don’t mind their fighters being stripped (like Jai Opetaia or Richardson Hitchins) because they are building their own “Zuffa Championship” brand. However, for a Haney-Shakur fight, they can “play ball” with the WBO just to keep the undisputed prestige attached.
The style clash: You have two of the best defensive ends in the sport. In the past, no network wanted to pay $20 million+ each for a “track event”. But with a $100 million investment in Haney, Zuffa is clearly betting on the “Mayweather” business model — selling the “unsurpassed” aura rather than just the highlights.
The possibility of these four settling down is the most important development in the sport, as it marks the end of the “Sanctioning Body Era” and the beginning of the “League Era.”
If Zuffa follows the UFC blueprint, they won’t mind protecting an ‘O. They will care about the Zuffa Boxing Championship and the live gates at Allegiant Stadium or the Sphere. Here’s how that four-way landscape is likely to shake out:
1. The “Face of the League” Match: Haney vs. Shakur
If the rumors of Haney’s $100 million deal and Shakur’s $60 million three-fight offer are accurate, Zuffa is essentially paying them “Mayweather money.”
The Logic: You don’t pay that kind of cash for tune-ups. This is the “high IQ” mega battle. With Shakur beating Teofimo Lopez just in January and Haney recently taking the WBO welterweight belt, it will likely be for the first Zuffa Undisputed title at 147.
The Hurdle: Both are defensive masters. Zuffa might pair them up with aggressive “dance partners” first to build the highlight reels before getting into each other.
2. The Collision Course: Richardson Hitchins Vs. Devin Haney
Hitchins has already said he wants Haney in 2026.
The Narrative: Hitchins is the “purist’s favorite” who just vacated his IBF belt to join Zuffa. It’s a perfect “in-house” rivalry.
The Strategy: Dana White loves a storyline. If Hitchins keeps calling out the “$100 million man”, Zuffa could easily market it as the “Battle of the Technicians”.
3. The “Action” Bridge: Conor Benn
Benn is the outlier here. While Shakur, Haney and Hitchins are technical wizards, Benn is a front-foot pressing warrior.
The Wildcard: Benn is coming off a massive $15 million payday against Regis Prograis and a new five-fight extension.
The match: Benn vs. Shakur is the most intriguing “clash of styles.” It’s the classic “Bull vs. Matador.” Mannix even hinted at it as a potential headliner in Las Vegas Stadium for late 2026.
Why mismatches are unlikely
Zuffa’s business model is built on subscription and PPV value. To justify the massive Saudi investment (allegedly 60% of the business), they need “event-driven” maps.
Internal Rankings: Expect Zuffa to release their own rankings soon. If Haney is #1 and Shakur is #2, the league structure makes it nearly impossible for them to avoid each other for years.
No More “Marinering”: In the old guard, promoters worried about a loss “killing” a fighter’s value. In a league, a loss just means a “rematch” or a “comeback trail” narrative, exactly like the UFC.
Last updated on 2026/05/09 at 02:10
