Jack Catterall picks Devin Haney to beat Shakur Stevenson, pointing to a size advantage that could force Shakur to work harder to control their exchanges from outside.
Haney uses a similar approach built around the jab, but with a longer reach. In my view, his jab is better, making this a difficult matchup for Shakur if Haney enters the ring comfortable at the weight.
“I just think the size difference. I think I’d have to go Devin Haney,” Catterall said on Fight Your Corner. “I’ve seen them both in the flesh, and I just think Devin looks so much bigger than him.”
That assessment helps explain the appeal of Shakur’s proposed 144-pound catchweight. Bringing Haney below the welterweight limit could make his cut more demanding. If that affects his energy or endurance, Shakur would benefit.
Haney publicly accepted 144 in June, but that acceptance did not produce a completed deal. Shakur subsequently backed his friend Keyshawn Davis pursuing Haney instead. After that route fell through, Haney’s camp was no longer willing to accommodate Shakur’s weight demands.
The boxing argument is straightforward. Against an opponent who repeatedly rushes forward, Shakur can let openings come to him. Haney could make him initiate more often by scoring with his jab and declining to chase.
Shakur would need to get past that jab, counter it consistently or increase his output enough to stop Haney from collecting rounds. His defensive ability would help, but avoiding punches alone would not win those exchanges.
Haney would also need variety. Repeating the same jab without changing its timing could give Shakur opportunities to counter.
Catterall’s pick puts the focus on how Shakur handles another patient boxer with greater reach. At the full welterweight limit, Haney could make Shakur come forward more than he prefers. That is a substantial reason to favor him, even without assuming a catchweight would weaken him.
