Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson are reportedly in negotiations ahead of a potential showdown in November, and newly-crowned WBA lightweight champion Floyd Schofield, who has sparred both men, has cast his verdict on how the fight may play out.

Last week, WBO welterweight world champion Haney and WBO super-lightweight titleholder Stevenson publicly agreed to a 145lb catchweight affair after weeks of back and forth on social media.

It is understood that, should it happen, Haney’s world title would be up for grabs and that no rehydration clause would be included in the fight contract – something which Stevenson had been keen for when they were last in talks for a clash.

Speaking with Sean ZittelSchofield – who defeated Lucas Bahdi to get his hands on the WBA 135lb world title on Saturday – admitted that he is favouring Haney to come out on top.

“We would have to wait and see on fight night. I think that there is different things that both of them do good, I feel like it would just be a real technical fight.

“I think that I would favour Devin because, even though he is not a crazy power-puncher, we have seen how he was able to put Brian Norman Jr. on the floor – that is something we haven’t seen before.

“The reach, the size, the boxing skill [makes me favour Devin].”

It is believed that the target fight date for Haney-Stevenson is Saturday, November 28in Atlanta, for what could be one of the biggest boxing events of the 2026 calendar.

Jai Opetaia’s proposed fight with Deontay Wilder looks like a mismatch between a prime cruiserweight and a 40-year-old former champion with four defeats in his last seven fights. Dana White wants to sell Wilder’s punching power, but selling his ability to survive Opetaia’s speed and combination punching is another story entirely.

White says that Opetaia looks set for the Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua undercard on December 11 in Cardiff, naming Wilder as an active target. The bout remains unconfirmed.

“Jai Opetaia is more than likely going to be on the undercard. [Wilder] is one that we’ve been talking about and working on,” White said to Sky Sports. “The guy’s willing to fight anybody.”

White labeled the pairing “a very dangerous fight for him considering where he sits in his division right now.”

That view leans heavily on Wilder’s signature right hand while glossing over his recent slide. Now 40, Wilder has dropped four of his last seven outings. His stature rests on past triumphs, whereas this assignment requires coping with Opetaia’s modern rhythm, quick feet, and fluid combinations.

Raw power guarantees Wilder a puncher’s chance, yet that alone will not keep him in the contest. He must locate openings, release his shots under fire, and withstand incoming heat. Against Opetaia, every phase of that task presents real trouble.

Opetaia creates angles rather than standing stationary to absorb incoming fire. If Wilder hesitates, the Australian will bank rounds, land heavy volume, and leave the audience waiting on a counter that never lands.

The commercial upside for Opetaia makes complete sense. Wilder brings global brand value, so defeating him on a massive stadium platform elevates the Australian’s profile while placing a former heavyweight titleholder on his ledger.

Still, any victory carries context. Overcoming a faded veteran provides little indication of how Opetaia might handle the heavyweight division’s elite.

Promoters can market the sudden threat of one clean shot, but every boxing fundamental tilts toward Opetaia.

Matchroom has confirmed that Dmitry Bivol will put his unified light heavyweight titles on the line against Callum Smith at the UMMC Arena in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on December 12. While locking in a date settles months of speculation, the matchup puts the division’s biggest business on hold.

Smith gets his crack at the belts, but anyone holding out for Bivol to finally resolve his rivalry with Artur Beterbiev has to sit through an unwanted detour. Matchroom’s energetic pitch works well enough for fans tracking Smith’s path to a shot. It does far less for anyone wanting the ultimate 175-pound conclusion.

Smith earned his spot fairly when he beat Joshua Buatsi. The trouble comes down to the gap between a legitimate title defense and the bout everyone is dying to see. A third chapter between Bivol and Beterbiev would settle the score after two razor-close wars. Even a pairing with David Benavidez brings ferocious volume punching.

Smith brings none of that buzz. He came up short against Canelo Alvarez, got halted by Beterbiev, and still has to prove he can topple an elite fighter.

His long layoff makes the promotion an even tougher sell. Smith has been out of the ring since taking down Buatsi in February 2025. By fight night, that victory will be nearly two years in the rearview mirror. Sitting on a ranking preserved his title shot, but it killed his momentum.

Bivol brings his own question marks after back surgery led to an extended layoff. That provides Smith a theoretical opening, yet banking on a champion’s decline is a flimsy basis for predicting an upset.

Smith possesses legitimate size, strong range, and a dangerous left hook. Still, he must force Bivol to work at his tempo, which looks like a massive task against the champion’s crisp footwork and sharp, measured offense.

It amounts to a respectable title defense with a heavy favorite. Smith’s camp can celebrate the booking, but pinning a date on the calendar does not make this the blockbuster light heavyweight needs. Bivol and Beterbiev have unsettled business, and this bout kicks that can down the road.