“There Was No Proposal”: Bob Arum Rips Devin Haney and His Father for ‘Bulls**t’ Offer to Fight Shakur Stevenson

Bob Arum has been in the boxing business for too long to mince his words. The International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee seems to have let the cat out of the bag. Barely a day remains left for the Top Rank‘s charge, Shakur Stevenson, to enter the ring. He fights the Dominican Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant WBC lightweight title. The previous incumbent, Devin Haney, left it to pursue a title at 140 pounds.

Speaking of which, before he went after Regis Prograis, Haney had proposed a fight to Shakur Stevenson. The discussion, which almost qualifies as an online spat, was much in the public domain. As it happened, the deal wasn’t acceptable to Stevenson because of the 25% split share. When asked about the offer, Bob Arum revealed that it could hardly be termed one. The seasoned promoter dismissed it as a hogwash, besides mentioning Bill Haney as not being committed to the bout.

Bob Arum dares Team Haney

The K.O. Artist Sports founder, Steve Cureno III, asked about the Devin Haney slanging match with Shakur Stevenson. Especially about the match offer, which the latter eventually rejected. Bob Arum responded, “Let me tell you something that offer that wasn’t an offer that was all bulls**t that was also, you know, talking in the media—there was no proposal on Haney’s part to fight Shakur none at all.”

Then he highlighted how Devin Haney’s father, Bill Haney, was never too keen on a fight with Stevenson. One of the reasons could be Devin Haney struggling with his weight in the 135-pound division. Hence, he might have wanted to move up a division. Bob Arum said, “…as a matter of fact, when we talked to Bill, he didn’t seem anxious for Devin to fight Shakur pretty much much because Devon was having trouble with the weight and [was] looking to establish a beat shed at 140 lbs.”

Earlier, Steve Cureno III asked Bob Arun during a recent meet-up how challenging it was to muster an opponent against Shakur Stevenson. The Top Rank boss replied that Shakur Stevenson was a solid boxer. However, he hasn’t reached a stage where people would purchase PPVs to watch his matches. But he also expressed hope that he would reach that space one day. Consequently, there will be boxers who will start showing interest in a fight with him.

Explaining how Stevenson is currently a high-risk, low-reward prospect (for others), Arum said, “…so boxing has always been [a] risk-reward Shakur is [an] enormous talent, and I really can’t blame a lot of the fighters for not wanting to step up and face him, you know.”

Matches are made in heaven

Eventually, as it turned out, Devin Haney had to vacate his WBC lightweight title as he moved to the light welterweight division. There, he challenged the reigning champion, Regis Prograis. However, the move exacted a price from ‘The Dream.’ Without the WBC belt, he was no longer an undisputed champion. There’s still no clarity as to what his next course of action will be after the Prograis fight.

Whether he would prefer staying back in the 140-pound division and challenging other belt holders, time alone will tell. Otherwise, as the unified lightweight champion, he can once again start a new campaign. However, it might involve a fight against bitter rival Gervonta Davis. If Stevenson wins tomorrow’s bout, and if Haney expresses interest in becoming an undisputed champion again, then a match-up between the two could become inevitable.

Read More: “That’s What You Do When You Don’t Wanna Fight”: Months After Fight Debacle, Former World Champion Gives His Verdict on Devin Haney’s 75/25 Offer to Shakur Stevenson

What’s your take? Given how they are lined up now, if it finally becomes a reality, will a Davis-Haney fight stand out better than a Haney-Stevenson one, or vice versa? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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