Oleksandr Usyk has revealed who he favours between Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney, with the two unbeaten world champions in talks to square off later this year.
Despite previously being linked to fights with Manny Pacquiao and Gary Antuanne Russell, it would appear that Stevenson is now targeting one of his fellow pound-for-pound stars.
Either way, the 29-year-old is set to make his Zuffa Boxing debut before long, entering his first outing since unanimously outpointing and dethroning Teofimo Lopez in January.
Rather than defend his WBO super-lightweight title, though, the four-division world champion has expressed a willingness to move up in weight and face Haney.
Should their showdown come to fruition, it is likely that the pair will meet at a catchweight of 145lbs, as per the latest update from Bill Haney.
Additionally, the father and trainer of ‘The Dream’ has ruled out the possibility of a rehydration clause, while naming Atlanta, Georgia, as the destination for their showdown on November 28.
If this proves to be the case then it will be over a year since Haney’s last outing, against Brian Norman Jr, when he claimed the WBO welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory.
Even aside from inactivity, however, Usyk has told Fighthype that he believes Stevenson has the tools to defeat his naturally bigger opponent.
Others, meanwhile, will argue that Haney’s size advantage should make him a slight favourite, with the 27-year-old having fully acclimatised to the 147lb division.
The absence of a rehydration limit would also be a tremendous benefit to the three-division world champion, who has agreed to face Stevenson at 145lbs via social media.
