Former four-division world champion Mikey Garcia has assessed the size advantage of Devin Haney in a potential clash with Shakur Stevenson at 145lbs.
The two Americans had been in talks to collide at this very catchweight, only for negotiations to reach an impasse at what Stevenson described as the “11th hour”.
According to him, things became problematic when Haney’s lawyer began demanding that they fight at 147lbs, despite Stevenson having only recently made his super-lightweight debut.
He did so by dethroning Teofimo Lopez in January and, in turn, becoming a four-division world champion after scoring a dominant unanimous decision victory.
As for Haney, ‘The Dream’ has not fought since last November, when he became a three-division world champion by dethroning Brian Norman Jr with a wide points victory.
For his next outing, meanwhile, the 27-year-old is likely to remain at 147lbs and, if the Stevenson fight is eventually revisited, then Garcia has told ESNEWS that he may slightly favour the size of Haney.
“I think Devin has a size advantage, but they’re both very skilled fighters. You can never count out Shakur.
“It might not be that good of a fight, just because they’re both so technical.”
While perhaps not offering much entertainment to the casual observer, Garcia said Stevenson and Haney would certainly deliver a “close fight” that could be appreciated by boxing purists.
Stevenson’s recent announcement that he has parted ways with Zuffa Boxing after failing to secure even one fight under the promotional banner may make the Haney bout more likely if he aligns himself with DAZN, however he has stated his intention is to compete at either 135 or 140lbs for now, effectively ruling out the clash for the foreseeable.
