The Haney camp says it will pursue a fight with Stevenson before turning to Devin Haney’s WBO mandatory obligation
Bill Haney says the priority remains making a fight between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson despite the WBO moving toward ordering a mandatory title defense against Keyshawn Davis. The comments came after WBO President Gustavo Olivieri indicated that an order could be issued by the end of June or early July.
The comments come after the WBO moved toward ordering Devin Haney to defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis. The sanctioning body has indicated that Haney must satisfy that obligation in the coming months or risk vacating the belt.
I respect the WBO. I respect the rules.
I also believe that boxing belongs to the people.
The people have made it clear they want to see Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson share the ring, and we’ll do our part to see if that fight can be made.
If not, Keyshawn Davis next.
— Bill Haney (@BillHaney77) June 19, 2026
The statement is notable because it places Shakur ahead of Keyshawn in the Haney camp’s current plans. Discussions about a Haney-Shakur fight have intensified in recent weeks, with both fighters publicly exchanging messages regarding a potential catchweight agreement.
At the same time, Keyshawn’s position as the WBO’s mandatory challenger continues to complicate matters. The unbeaten Norfolk native has repeatedly called for his title shot, while WBO officials have signaled that Haney’s championship obligations cannot be ignored indefinitely.
Bill Haney’s message appears to leave both paths open. The preferred route remains a high-profile clash with Shakur, but if that fight cannot be finalized, the Haney camp is indicating that a mandatory defense against Keyshawn is the next option on the table.
From a business standpoint, Haney versus Shakur would likely generate greater interest among hardcore boxing fans, while a fight with Keyshawn would satisfy the WBO’s requirements and settle one of the sport’s most active ongoing rivalries.