Shakur Stevenson continues to run towards the fire.
Fresh off his lopsided unanimous decision victory over Teofimo Lopez in January, Stevenson has now verbally agreed to face fellow three-weight world champion Devin Haney in October.
The fight, which would pit two of the most technically sound and astute boxers against one another, has been heavily talked up on social media.
Now, it appears some headway is being made at the negotiation table.
Shakur Stevenson vs Devin Haney as it stands
“Yeah, for sure [I’ve agreed to it],” Stevenson told the Ariel Helwani Show of a potential all-American clash with Haney.
“I’m not going to say [I’ve] signed [for the fight], but I’ve definitely verbally agreed that we’re going to be fighting in October and I’ve told them, ‘Put my part down.'”
Stevenson stopped short of naming a location and venue, but did say that if the fight were to happen, it would be contested at a 144lbs catchweight.
The weight sits between Haney’s natural weight of 147lbs and 140lbs, where Stevenson is currently operating.
Both men agreed on the number over X last month, but conversations regarding the fight had gone quiet since then.
It remains unclear whether Haney has green-lighted his side of the deal, and how far along negotiations are.
Haney remains a free agent, although rumours are swirling around boxing circles that he will follow in Stevenson’s footsteps by signing with Zuffa Boxing.
Stevenson inked a deal with the Dana White-fronted promotion last week.
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And it turns out they weren’t the only ones in the race for his signature.
DAZN offered Shakur Stevenson a lucrative deal
“Really, I didn’t talk to too many promoters [about signing me],” Stevenson added.
“But I talked to DAZN, and DAZN offered me a big-a** deal too, to be honest with you.
“But they kind of came too late. And I think when they came too late, it kind of messed it up.
“It could’ve been either/or, but they definitely offered a big-ass deal too.”
That deal would have allowed Stevenson to remain a free agent, while competing exclusively on the DAZN platform.
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