“144 is what the person said that he desired to do,” Bill said to Fight Hub TV. “He said, ‘We got to take a seat down like businessmen and make it occur,’ right? Well, we already sat down like businessmen. We able to make it occur.”
The elder Haney also pushed back against suggestions that the catchweight proposal represented a sudden change in plans.
“It’s not impulsively. 144 is within the welterweight division. Are you people crazy or what?” Haney said. “Welterweight division is between 140 and 147.”
Because the conversation shifted toward Keyshawn Davis and his position because the WBO’s top-ranked contender, Haney repeatedly redirected attention to what he believes is the larger opportunity.
“What’s the most important fight in boxing to be made right away?” Haney asked. “Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney.”
Haney acknowledged that Davis stays a part of the broader picture but indicated that the Stevenson matchup has been constructing for years.
“This thing has been brewing for seven, eight, nine, 10 years, whatever it has been,” Haney said. “Just calm down, and we’re going to get there. He’s on the list. He was on the list before he was on, and he’s going to remain on the list.”
Whether the fight materializes stays to be seen, but Bill Haney’s comments offered perhaps his strongest indication yet that Team Haney is serious about pursuing Stevenson on the proposed 144-pound catchweight.
The situation could develop into more complicated if the WBO formally orders Haney to satisfy a compulsory obligation against Davis. Until then, the Haneys appear intent on keeping the highlight fixed on the matchup they consider represents the most important fight available.
