“Both of them need each other to bring out the levels that’s really there,” Bill Haney said to Fight Hub TV about a Devin-Shakur fight.
“That’s the kind of fight that the fans want to see.”
Bill later shifted to Keyshawn and made it clear he does not see the Norfolk native in the same category financially as some of the bigger names around Devin.
“A regular night,” Bill said when asked about Devin fighting Keyshawn.
“He’s bad business.”
The comment appeared aimed more at Keyshawn’s drawing power than his ability. Although Keyshawn has continued building a following and remains popular in Norfolk, he has not yet become a proven national attraction capable of driving major pay-per-view numbers on his own.
That has become an important factor in the welterweight division, where the biggest fights increasingly rely on outside financing from Saudi Arabia chairman Turki Alalshikh to reach the money expectations of top fighters.
From the Haney side, a fight against Keyshawn may look like a high-risk matchup without the same financial upside attached to names like Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis, or even Shakur Stevenson.
The Haneys also made clear during the interview that Devin has no plans to move back down in weight after settling at welterweight.
“We’re not going down,” Bill said. “We’re not going back to lightweight.”
A fight between Devin and Shakur has remained one of the most discussed matchups in boxing for several years, though negotiations have repeatedly stalled over weight and financial terms.
Bill claimed Devin previously offered Shakur 25 percent of the revenue for the fight, but no agreement was reached. If both fighters sign with Zuffa Boxing, it’s a logical one for the company to make.
The only problem that could get in the way of the fight is if Shakur insists on a weight handicap by demanding Haney belt down to 144 and attach a 10-lb rehydration clause for good measure.
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