Zuffa Boxing is wasting no time in trying to make the biggest matchups for its marquee fighter, Shakur Stevenson.Stevenson, whose signing with Zuffa Boxing — the worst-kept secret in the sport — was announced this past week, told Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show” on Wednesday that Zuffa is working to match him with three-division champion Devin Haney in his promotional debut.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”They want Devin as far as I know,” Stevenson said of his Zuffa debut, which he expects to take place in October. “If they want Devin — I’m down.”Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) is the reigning WBO 140-pound champion, while Haney has the WBO’s 147-pound belt. He told Uncrowned that the fight with Haney has been discussed at a 144-pound catchweight — and it may have to come without a title on the line, as Haney has been ordered to defend his welterweight championship next against the mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis.”Yeah, for sure [I’ve agreed to it],” Stevenson said of fighting Haney.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”I’m not going to say [I’ve] signed [for the fight], but I’ve definitely verbally agreed that we’re going to be fighting in October and I’ve told them, ‘Put my part down.'”Stevenson’s side of the deal may be done, but he is unclear on whether Haney has agreed to the fight. Although rumors of an alignment between Haney and Zuffa Boxing have swirled, Haney is currently a promotional free agent.Stevenson’s move to Zuffa Boxing initially raised questions over what opponents would be available for Uncrowned’s No. 4 pound-for-pound boxer. Dana White’s promotion originally said it would not work with rival promoters or boxing’s four major sanctioning bodies — the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF. Stevenson, however, told Uncrowned he believes that because Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh is financing Zuffa Boxing, any fight is available to him, as Alalshikh has a history of working with all promoters.The four-division champion expects to compete on both Alalshikh’s Ring Magazine shows and the Zuffa Boxing events on Paramount+. Stevenson also confirmed he will not be subject to the same branded uniform that other fighters on the series have worn.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementZuffa Boxing was not the only player in the race for Stevenson, but their biggest competitor was ultimately too late to the punch.”Really, I didn’t talk to too many promoters [about signing me],” Stevenson revealed, “but I talked to DAZN, and DAZN offered me a big-ass deal too, to be honest with you. But they kind of came too late. And I think when they came too late, it kind of messed it up. It could’ve been either/or, but they definitely offered a big-ass deal too.”Stevenson said DAZN’s proposal was “very similar” to Zuffa Boxing’s offer. Under the deal, he would’ve been aligned directly with the broadcaster rather than a promotional company. Such an arrangement is rare in the sport, though Teofimo Lopez is understood to have a similar agreement w
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