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Due to ongoing talks with Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney, Zuffa Boxing is close to a major overhaul of the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions. If both deals are completed, the company will suddenly have control of some of boxing’s biggest names in the 140- to 147-pound weight class.

It was reported on Thursday that Stevenson is finalizing an agreement with Zuffa, while Haney continues to fuel speculation of a massive novel endorsement deal following recent comments from his father, Bill Haney.

If both fighters land at Zuffa, they will join a growing stable that already includes Conor Benn and Richardson Hitchins.

That would immediately create some potential internal fights that could attract a lot of attention without the promotional holdouts that often delay substantial boxing bouts.

Friday’s report from Mannix is ​​the strongest confirmation yet that Dana White is moving from acquiring prospects and goaltenders to collecting elite prime-time champions. If Shakur Stevenson completes this move, it will effectively end the “promotional purgatory” he has been in since leaving Top Rank.

Zuffa is quickly building a 140- to 147-pound glove that looks like a UFC division. When securing Shakur, they don’t just hire a technician; they get a fighter who recently dominated Teofimo Lopez in January and holds the WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight titles.

Zuffa “Shark Tank” weighing 140-147 pounds

The list is becoming incredibly opulent with talent who struggled to pull off substantial fights under the ancient guard:

• Shakur Stevenson: Division technical floor and seated champion.
• Devin Haney: If this $100 million deal is real, it will become a centerpiece. He is already a three-division champion after receiving the WBO welterweight belt from Brian Norman Jr. in November.
• Conor Benn: The group’s “action” warrior who has huge British eyes and a $15 million price tag.
• Richardson Hitchins: A high IQ operator who just signed a contract and is already calling for a fight with Haney.

Novel reality for Haney vs. Shakur

Haney’s “You’ll See” post is starting to look like a warning to the rest of the industry. For years, promoters shielded the two from each other because a loss would “kill their value.”

In the Zuffa/TKO structure, financed by Saudi capital and led by Nick Khan and Dana White, this protectionism tends to fade away. They operate in a “league” model in which the best players are forced to participate in an internal tournament.

Key factors of a potential matchup

Guaranteed bags: Shakur reportedly turned down $60 million for three fights in March, but Mannix points out the novel “guaranteed money” is too much to ignore. This suggests that Zuffa’s offerings dwarf anything Matchroom or PBC could realistically put out.

Sanctioning Bodies Policy: Zuffa has already shown that they don’t mind stripping players (like Jai Opetaia and Richardson Hitchins) as they build their own brand of “Zuffa Championship.” However, in the event of a Haney-Shakur fight, they could “play ball” with the WBO to maintain undisputed prestige.

Style clash: You have two of the best defensive minds in the sport. Historically, no network has been willing to pay more than $20 million for an “on-track meeting.” But by investing $100 million in Haney, Zuffa is clearly banking on the “Mayweather” business model – selling an “unbeatable” aura, not just highlights.

The possibility of these four facing off is the most significant event in sports because it signals the end of the “sanctioning body era” and the beginning of the “league era.”

If Zuffa follows the UFC’s plan, they won’t care about “protecting O.” They will cover the Zuffa Boxing Championship and live gates at Allegiant Stadium or Sfera. Here’s how this four-way landscape likely shapes up:

1. “Face of the League” match: Haney vs. Shakur
If the rumors about Haney’s $100 million deal and Shakur’s three-fight $60 million offer are true, Zuffa is essentially paying them “Mayweather money.”

Logic: you don’t pay that much money for tuning. This is a “high IQ” megafight. Since Shakur just defeated Teofimo Lopez in January and Haney recently won the WBO welterweight belt, this will likely be Zuffa Undisputed’s inaugural 147 title.

Obstacle: Both are masters of defense. Zuffa can first combine them with aggressive “dance partners” to create highlight reels, and then combine them together.

2. Collision Course: Richardson Hitchins vs. Devin Haney
Hitchins has already been vocal about wanting Haney in 2026.

Plot: Hitchins is a “purist’s darling” who has just vacated the IBF belt to join Zuffa. This is a perfect “internal” competition.

Strategy: Dana White loves plot. If Hitchins continues to call for “the $100 million man,” Zuffa will easily advertise it as a “battle of the techies.”

3. Bridge of Action: Conor Benn
Benn is an exception here. While Shakur, Haney and Hitchins are technical wizards, Benn is an upfront fighter.

Wild Card: Benn will receive a massive $15 million payday against Regis Prograis and a five-fight extension.

Matchup: Benn vs. Shakur is the most intriguing “clash of styles”. It’s classic “Bull vs. Matador”. Mannix even hinted at it as a potential Las Vegas stadium headliner in tardy 2026.

Why mismatches are unlikely

Zuffa’s business model is based on subscription and PPV. To justify Saudi Arabia’s huge investment (reportedly 60% of the venture), they need “event-driven” cards.

Internal Rankings: Expect Zuffa to release its own rankings soon. If Haney is No. 1 and Shakur is No. 2, the league’s structure makes it almost impossible for them to avoid each other for years.

If Stevenson and Haney finalize the deal, Zuffa would immediately take control of several substantial fights at 140-147 pounds without the promotional barriers that have delayed fights across the division for years.

Daniel Dubois believes promoter Frank Warren may have a preferred outcome when he faces Fabio Wardley for the WBO heavyweight title on Saturday night in Manchester.

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Last update: 2026/05/09 at 12:02

David Morrell fully expects his “interim” WBO title fight will be postponed, even though there is uncertainty over when Callum Smith will return to fighting.

They were both scheduled to feature in Liverpool last month, but only on a fleeting basis former world champion Smith withdrew due to an undisclosed injury.

Of course, it’s far from perfect that Smith hasn’t fought since February 2025, when he defeated Joshua Buatsi by unanimous decision to win his “interim” lightweight heavyweight title.

However, despite the inactivity of Smith, whose recovery timetable remains unclear, both sides appear keen to reschedule the Morrell fight for later this year.

Until then, Morrell must stay in the win column as he makes a quick pit stop against former British and Commonwealth champion Zak Chelli this Saturday.

Their bout, which will take place at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, replaces Jared Anderson vs. Solomon Dacres in the main support role for Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois.

This happened thanks to the skillful approach to the situation by general manager Luis DeCubas Jr., who successfully saved his client from spending a year on the shelf.

Grateful for the opportunity, Morrell tells Boxing News his initial response to Smith’s injury was professional.

“I didn’t react too strongly – that’s part of being a professional athlete. As a fighter, you have to train your mindset and just be ready for anything [comes your way].

So I stayed serene and just kept training.”

Believing Smith’s fight will be “100%” postponed, Morrell remains keenly aware of the danger of taking his eye off the ball.

He learned this particular lesson in his last outing, when a lack of concentration, by his own admission, caused the talented Cuban to suffer a fifth-round knockdown against Imam Khataev.

Despite this, Morrell managed to achieve a split decision last July, but his performance was far from what we are accustomed to from a skilled technician.

“This fight wasn’t good, I wasn’t 100% focused, a few things happened in my personal circle.

“With a guy like Khataev, you’re supposed to box, move, and exploit those skills to control the fight. But since I wasn’t 100% focused, I just used my fighting instincts and got the win.”

After the Khataev fight, Morrell parted ways with Ronnie Shields and joined forces with head coach Ismael Salas, training alongside the likes of Rolando Romero, Alberto Puello and Yoelvis Gomez.

“[Salas has] I brought back some of the Cuban education that I lost a little bit when I came to the States and trained in Houston [Texas]. Returning to the roots is always essential.

“There was also communication [barrier] at my last camp, but since everyone now speaks the same language and is on the same page, it has had a really positive impact [on his training]”

With Salas at his side, Morrell clearly rediscovered the extraordinary skills that brought him considerable success in amateur competition.

Now, hoping to showcase his talents to a British audience, the 28-year-old looks ready to prove why he is one of the top contenders at 175 pounds against Chelli.