Haney Lowers the Bar: 145-Pound December Offer to Stevenson, No Rehydration Clause

Devin Haney has put a new offer on the table for Shakur Stevenson, proposing a December 2026 showdown at a 145-pound catchweight with no rehydration clause attached. The unbeaten former undisputed lightweight champion made the pitch publicly on social media Monday, writing: "Let's do this: 145 pounds, no rehydration clause, Shakur Stevenson. Let's see who the real coward is here. December 2026." The proposal marks a concession from Haney's position just two days earlier, when he pushed for the full welterweight limit of 147 pounds — also with no fight-night weight restriction. Dropping to 145 narrows the gap between the divisions the two stars currently occupy, reflecting the central issue that has kept this matchup from materializing: Haney has been operating at the higher weight while Stevenson's best work has come in lighter classes. However, veteran reporter Dan Rafael cautioned that talks have not meaningfully advanced in recent weeks, with weight remaining the sticking point. And even at 145, Haney would face no contractual cap on how much weight he could regain after the weigh-in — leaving Stevenson's camp with the same core concern about facing a significantly heavier opponent on fight night. For now, one of boxing's most discussed fantasy fights stays in the rumor stage, awaiting Stevenson's answer.