Former world champion Chris Algieri has named one fighter whose size, ring IQ and gas tank could make for a competitive contest with Shakur Stevenson.
The 28-year-old has firmly cemented himself as a top five pound-for-pound star, with many questioning whether he will ever be beaten in the professional ranks.
A truly dominant performance saw him become a four-division world champion last month, outpointing and dethroning Teofimo Lopez to claim the WBO super-lightweight strap.
Prior to that, many regarded Lopez as the top dog at 140lbs, while Stevenson’s credentials at this higher weight class were yet to be seen.
But sure enough, the slick southpaw swiftly removed any doubt over his supremacy between 135 and 140lbs, dropping just one round before having his hand raised at Madison Square Garden, New York.
As a result, many feel that his best chance of getting properly tested could be at 147lbs, where WBO champion Devin Haney represents potentially his toughest opponent.
The 27-year-old claimed his welterweight strap in November, becoming a three-division world champion after comprehensively outpointing and dethroning Brian Norman Jr.
Away from that, the American’s most notable wins have come against Regis Prograis and Vasyl Lomachenko, who some felt had done enough to defeat Haney in 2023.
But still, Algieri has told Inside Boxing Live that ‘The Dream’, based largely on his encounter with Lomachenko, stands the best chance of solving the Stevenson puzzle.
“Devin Haney [has the best chance of beating Stevenson]. [He’s] big, long, athletic, [has a] high IQ, great jab, good feet [and] great endurance.
“It’s all the things you need if you’re even going to think about contending with Shakur Stevenson.
“Haney’s got it, and he also has the experience; he’s got the maturity; he’s been in with top-flight guys.
“If you’re neck and neck with Lomachenko, that speaks a lot to your ability to deal with high ring IQ.”
Victory over Haney would make Stevenson a five-weight world champion, matching the achievement of his lifelong friend and mentor, Terence Crawford.
