Zuffa Boxing could suddenly find itself with one among boxing’s deepest collections of talent between 140 and 147 kilos if reported talks with Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney result in official deals.
Click Here To Watch Wardley vs. Dubois LIVE!
Stevenson was reported Thursday to be finalizing an agreement with Zuffa, while Haney has continued fueling speculation about an enormous recent promotional deal after recent comments from his father, Bill Haney.
If each fighters land with Zuffa, they might join a growing stable that already includes Conor Benn and Richardson Hitchins.
That might immediately create several potential in-house matchups able to generating major attention without the promotional roadblocks that usually delay big boxing fights.
The report from Mannix on Friday is the strongest confirmation yet that Dana White is shifting from signing prospects and gatekeepers to collecting elite, prime-age champions. If Shakur Stevenson finalizes this move, it effectively ends the “promotional purgatory” he’s been in since leaving Top Rank.
Zuffa is rapidly constructing a 140 to 147-pound gauntlet that appears like a UFC division. By securing Shakur, they aren’t just getting a technician; they’re getting a fighter who recently dominated Teofimo Lopez in January and holds the WBO and Ring Magazine titles at junior welterweight.
The Zuffa “Shark Tank” at 140-147 lbs
The roster is becoming incredibly top-heavy with talent that has struggled to get big fights made under the old guard:
- Shakur Stevenson: The technical floor of the division and a sitting champion.
- Devin Haney: If that $100 million deal is real, he becomes the centerpiece. He’s already a three-division champ after taking the WBO welterweight belt from Brian Norman Jr. in November.
- Conor Benn: The “motion” fighter of the group who brings massive UK eyes and a $15 million price tag.
- Richardson Hitchins: The high-IQ operator who just signed and is already calling for a Haney fight.
The Latest Reality for Haney vs. Shakur
The “U will see” post from Haney is beginning to appear to be a warning to the remainder of the industry. For years, promoters protected these two from one another because a loss would “kill their value.”
Under the Zuffa/TKO structure, which is bankrolled by Saudi capital and headed by Nick Khan and Dana White, that protectionism normally disappears. They operate on the “League” model, where the perfect are forced into an in-house tournament.
Key Aspects in a Potential Matchup
Guaranteed Purses: Shakur reportedly turned down $60 million for 3 fights in March, but Mannix indicates the brand new “guaranteed money” was an excessive amount of to disregard. This implies the Zuffa offers are eclipsing anything Matchroom or PBC can realistically put up.
Sanctioning Body Politics: Zuffa has already shown they don’t mind their fighters being stripped (like Jai Opetaia or Richardson Hitchins) because they’re constructing their very own “Zuffa Championship” brand. Nevertheless, for a Haney-Shakur fight, they could “play ball” with the WBO just to maintain the undisputed prestige attached.
The Style Clash: You could have two of the perfect defensive minds in the game. Previously, no network desired to pay $20 million+ each for a “track meet.” But with a $100 million investment in Haney, Zuffa is clearly betting on the “Mayweather” business model—selling the “unbeatable” aura reasonably than simply the highlights.
The potential of these 4 squaring off is probably the most significant development in the game since it signals the tip of the “Sanctioning Body Era” and the beginning of the “League Era.”
If Zuffa follows the UFC blueprint, they won’t care about “protecting an O.” They’ll care in regards to the Zuffa Boxing Championship and the live gates at Allegiant Stadium or the Sphere. Here is how that four-way landscape likely shakes out:
1. The “Face of the League” Matchup: Haney vs. Shakur
If the rumors of Haney’s $100 million deal and Shakur’s $60 million three-fight offer are accurate, Zuffa is actually paying them “Mayweather money.”
The Logic: You don’t pay that sort of money for tune-ups. That is the “high-IQ” mega-fight. Since Shakur just beat Teofimo Lopez in January and Haney recently took the WBO welterweight belt, this might likely be for the inaugural Zuffa Undisputed title at 147.
The Hurdle: Each are defensive masters. Zuffa might pair them with aggressive “dance partners” first to construct the highlight reels before putting them in with one another.
2. The Collision Course: Richardson Hitchins vs. Devin Haney
Hitchins has already been vocal about wanting Haney in 2026.
The Narrative: Hitchins is the “purist’s favorite” who just vacated his IBF belt to hitch Zuffa. It is a perfect “in-house” rivalry.
The Strategy: Dana White loves a storyline. If Hitchins keeps calling out the “$100 million man,” Zuffa could easily market this because the “Battle of the Technicians.”
3. The “Motion” Bridge: Conor Benn
Benn is the outlier here. While Shakur, Haney, and Hitchins are technical wizards, Benn is a front-foot pressure fighter.
The Wildcard: Benn is coming off an enormous $15 million payday against Regis Prograis and a fresh five-fight extension.
The Matchup: Benn vs. Shakur is probably the most intriguing “clash of styles.” It’s the classic “Bull vs. Matador.” Mannix even hinted at this as a possible Las Vegas stadium headliner for late 2026.
Why Mismatches are Unlikely
Zuffa’s business model is built on Subscription and PPV value. To justify the large Saudi investment (rumored to be 60% of the enterprise), they need “Event-Driven” cards.
Internal Rankings: Expect Zuffa to release their very own rankings soon. If Haney is #1 and Shakur is #2, the league structure makes it almost inconceivable for them to avoid one another for years.
No More “Marinating”: Within the old guard, promoters apprehensive a couple of loss, “killing” a fighter’s value. In a league, a loss just means a “rematch” or a “comeback trail” narrative, exactly just like the UFC.
Last Updated on 2026/05/09 at 2:10 AM