Boxing
Matchroom letter threatens tonight’s Huni-Clarke fight
The fight between Huni and Frazer Clarke is part of tonight’s main event at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, but uncertainty emerged hours before the event following a legal letter sent by Matchroom Boxing.
Journalist Dan Rafael reported that Matchroom claims it still has Huni under an lively contract and has not consented to his participation in the fight. The promoter claims that after Huni’s knockout loss to Fabio Wardley, he exercised his contract extension option, putting Huni in the fifth fight of a six-fight deal.
In its letter, Matchroom accuses Goldstar Promotions and Tasman Fighters of contract interference and claims it was never informed about the planned fight with Clarke. The company also warned that broadcaster Netflix could face legal risk if it broadcasts a competitive athlete in breach of an existing contract.
Matchroom indicated that it had tried to reach terms that would allow the fight to continue under changed conditions, but said these efforts had yielded no response. This escalation raised delayed doubts about whether the competition could proceed as planned.
Further updates from Rafael, after speaking with Goldstar’s Spencer Brown, suggested that the fight is still expected to take place, although no official confirmation has been made.
The situation adds another level of disruption to an event that sees Tyson Fury return from a 16-month absence against Arslanbek Makhmudov. It also comes shortly after Conor Benn left Matchroom to align with Zuffa Boxing ahead of his fight with Regis Prograis on the same card.
Unless a formal decision is made before the fight takes place in the ring, the Huni-Clarke fight could change despite signs that it will continue.
The WBO champion quickly accepted a fight with Davis after the challenger rose to the top of the rankings
Devin Haney wasted no time reacting after Keyshawn Davis was elevated to No. 1 in the WBO welterweight rankings. The champion publicly welcomed the matchup, posting a low message on social media shortly after the updated rankings were released.
Let’s do it KEYSHAWN.. https://t.co/plq9hqQpBP
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) June 3, 2026
This is absolute theater and to look at it like everything else is to succumb to the promotional machine. The moment the WBO rankings dropped and Keyshawn took the No. 1 spot, Haney knew the clock was ticking.
Had he remained still or tried to minimize Keyshawn’s 147-pound inexperience, the boxing world would have immediately labeled him a shirker. By jumping on X and immediately matching the energy, he completely obfuscates this narrative. He begins to look like a fearless champion who is ready for everyone, knowing full well that posting on social media doesn’t cost a penny or require a contract.
The reality of the situation suggests that this is a calculated public relations move rather than a genuine desire for several different reasons:
- Financial reality: Haney always strives for the highest possible bottom line. While the Keyshawn fight is in high demand among die-hard fans, it doesn’t compare to the massive payday of a potential rematch with Ryan Garcia or the other blockbuster pay-per-view opportunities that are likely at the top of his wish list.
- Mandatory timeline cushion: Haney knows how bodywork mechanisms turn. Even with the WBO expected to order a mandatory challenge this summer, negotiations, price offers and promotional extensions could add months to the schedule. He has plenty of time to consider other options before the real pressure comes.
- Risk versus reward: Fighting a adolescent, hungry and highly skilled fighter like Keyshawn, who has never even fought at welterweight, is a hazardous proposition in a title defense when there are much more lucrative, established names on the market.
Haney’s quick response was a great defensive move outside the ring to protect his brand. He gave fans an exhilarating quote they wanted to see, but when it comes to actual network deals, promotional arrangements and guarantees, the energy will likely change. On social media it’s uncomplicated to say “Let’s do this”; it’s a completely different story when the contract is sitting on your desk.
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Last updated: 2026/06/03 at 1:58
Boxing
Former footballers’ boxing event, supported by Tony Bellew and David Price, raised £73,500 for charity
The response was immediate.
One fan accused Stevenson of talking about major fights without taking steps to make them happen.
“The fuck is when are you??? You ran to Zuffa to avoid Shock??? You didn’t want to smoke with Devin, if you’re waiting for the right moment it makes sense if you fight, now you’re trying so tough to keep it 0,” the critic wrote.
Shakur either really doesn’t get it yet or is trying to masterfully do public relations damage control to keep his name among the division’s elite.
If Dana White runs Zuffa Boxing by the UFC playbook, the league format completely changes the game. In this world, you don’t call on top-level players or Matchroom players because you’re locked in a closed ecosystem. The UFC does not partner with Bellator or PFL to stage superfights, and they have no intention of sending their prized fighters to fight on a rival network under a different promotional banner.
If Shakur really thinks he can just pocket a huge salary at Zuffa and still easily land Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, or Teofimo Lopez, he’s in for a rude awakening. The promotional walls are bulky, and Dana White is not known for playing well with classic boxing promoters.
At this point, Shakur still speaks like an independent performer who can dictate his own path. But if Zuffa is building a league, it has simply traded that independence for a corporate structure. He may find himself trapped in a gilded cage completely isolated from the struggles that he claims define the legacy.
If the UFC model is the plan, it guarantees financial security but risks complete isolation from the wider boxing world. By the time he finishes his tour of duty and realizes that mass promotion fights will be off the table forever, the physical attributes that made him a four-division champion may already be gone.
Devin Haney responds after Keyshawn Davis moves to No. 1 in the WBO welterweight rankings
Former footballers’ boxing event, supported by Tony Bellew and David Price, raised £73,500 for charity
Shakur Stevenson may not be seeing the real problem
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