Ernesto “Tito” Mercado does not understand why Shakur Stevenson wants WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney to come down to 144 pounds after discussing other fights at the full 147-pound limit.
Mercado believes Shakur has enough size to move up and challenge Haney without demanding a catchweight. He specifically pointed to Shakur’s willingness to consider Conor Benn at welterweight while questioning why the same willingness does not extend to Haney.
“I feel like he talks too much, too. I think he talks too much,” Mercado said to Fighthype. “Shakur is not the smallest guy in the world either. So, for him to be saying all that about Devin, he should be willing to go to the next weight class. I mean, he was talking about fighting Conor Benn at 147. I don’t see what the problem is with fighting Devin at 147.”
Shakur has pushed for the catchweight in a potential Haney fight, but Haney owns the WBO title at 147. He has little reason to drop three pounds for a challenger moving into his division.
Mercado also grouped Shakur with Keyshawn Davis, arguing that both fighters sometimes make public challenges that become more complicated once the opponent is willing to accept.
“I think those guys, Keyshawn, Shakur, I think they talk too much and sometimes they bite off more than they chew,” Mercado said. “I think Devin’s one of the only fighters that I would say would be willing to call people’s bluffs.”
Mercado’s argument leaves the decision with Shakur. If Haney refuses to budge from 147, Shakur can take the fight at the champion’s weight or pursue another opponent.
