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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.

From the outside, Zak Chelli will have a treacherous mountain to climb on Saturday when he faces world-class featherlight heavyweight contender David Morrell.

For starters, his career has been plagued by inactivity over the past 20 months, with Chelli only completing one task – winning the Premier League title – since then losing by unanimous decision to Callum Simpson in August 2024

Secondly, the former British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion hasn’t competed anywhere near the world level at 168lbs, let alone 175lbs, as he looks to create a massive upset against Morrell.

The talented Cuban was scheduled to face Callum Smith last month, but an injury ruled his opponent out of the breathtaking fight.

However, in a bizarre turn of events, Morrell will now collide with Chelli on the undercard of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

Attributing his inactivity to “contract issues” and “other things behind the scenes,” Chelli tells Boxing News he’s constantly hanging around the gym.

All this time he’s been trying to convince his domestic counterparts to roll the dice against him, but now he’ll be taking a massive risk in pursuit of a bigger reward.

“When I say I want massive fights, I mean it. As you can see, I’m fighting David Morrell – I’m trying to prove to them [his domestic counterparts] that I am above their level.

“I’m approaching 10 years as a professional, so I know how the process works, I know the business.

“You have to be patient because you could have that one phone call that will change your life.”

In addition to her professional career, Chelli works for Time Out Boxing, where she teaches basics to children with special educational needs or behavior management issues.

At first, he says, the children take one look at him as an “aggressive guy,” but then they get to know him and begin to “show a lot of respect.”

However, it may be harder for the Londoner to earn Morrell’s respect, even if it is an opportunity he has actively sought.

“As soon as Callum Smith got injured, my dad literally said in every social media post: ‘Come on [Morrell] to my son.”

“Then we got a call from Alfie Warren [of Warren Boxing Management]telling us this fight can happen.”

Knowing the reputation of his next opponent, who lost a decision to David Benavidez in February 2025, Chelli sees no reason to study the 28-year-old.

However, he is acutely aware of his known underdog status, which has given him extra motivation to perform well against Jack Cullen and Anthony Sims Jr in 2020 and 2023, respectively.

“I haven’t seen too many [Morrell]honestly, but I know Benavidez is a good fighter and he managed to fight Benavidez 12 rounds, so I’m not going to underestimate him. But on May 9, I will show people what level I am at and what I can do.

“A lot of people doubted me in a lot of my fights, but I think it motivates me to do better.”

As for the game plan, Chelli had not considered such a thing before facing Morrell, who won a split decision over Olympic bronze medalist Imam Khataev last July.

Instead, he would rather be prepared for all possible scenarios rather than focusing mainly on a specific player’s style, especially considering he only had three to four weeks’ notice.

“I don’t think specific sparring helps because when you’re in the ring with someone, that person is always going to be different from how [you’ve previously seen] their.

“But being a southpaw, I’ve battled a lot of them and I’ve always done well. I always expect the unexpected. Whatever comes my way, I’ll adapt and maneuver around it.”

Regardless of the result, Chelli will still be a must-see for the British 175lb title, which will certainly take the pressure off his fight with Morrell.

That said, he is clearly eager to get his career back on track and secure further opportunities, knowing he will be better equipped to do so with an eye-catching performance in his next match.

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