Tim Bradley believes Shakur Stevenson deliberately stepped away from a potential fight with Devin Haney even after Haney agreed to the proposed 144lb catchweight.
Stevenson became a four-division world champion in January by defeating Teofimo Lopez for the WBO super lightweight title. He was then linked to Haney, but had insisted that the WBO welterweight champion would need to move down in weight.
Bradley said Stevenson went “M.I.A.” once Haney accepted those terms and instead allowed close friend Keyshawn Davis to move toward the opportunity.
“Shakur Stevenson, he purposefully went M.I.A.,” Bradley said. “If you was going to make the fight at 144lbs, nah, I ain’t going to do it. I’mma let my brother, Keyshawn Davis, go ahead and fight you.”
Haney has now been ordered to defend against Davis, with both sides given 11 more days to reach an agreement before the fight goes to purse bids.
Bradley also said he understands why Haney may not want that matchup, describing it as a high-risk fight that may not offer the financial reward he wants. Stevenson, meanwhile, has signed with Zuffa Boxing, but his first opponent under the promotion has not yet been confirmed.
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