Boxing
Turki supports Shakur Stevenson after Benn defeated Prograis
Prograis certainly left a mark. Benn held his own, but he didn’t look like a guy to be wary of right now. More like someone who had to deal with a faded, smaller opponent.
It was a predatory move. Shakur Stevenson is one of the smartest ring generals today, and that intelligence clearly extends to the business side of the sport. He smelled blood in the water.
Benn got a victory today, but it was the kind of victory that lowered his stock rather than raised it. Standing on his hind legs right after the final bell, Shakur took over the narrative: Instead of talking about Benn fighting the 37-year-old Prograis, the boxing world started talking about Stevenson vs. Benn.
He forced Turki Alalshikh to his hand. By tagging the most powerful man in boxing, Shakur has secured a public endorsement that essentially puts him above Benn in the eyes of the check-signer.
Stevenson hasn’t been linked to Benn in recent weeks, but the performance opened the door for him. Benn won, but his rival was a 37-year-old opponent who was gaining weight and was clearly tired. The rounds were competitive and Benn did not distinguish himself in the way that might have been expected against his level of competition at this stage.
Stevenson expressed his opinion directly on social media: “If he lasts 12 rounds with me, I will be disappointed in myself 😂.”
Turki Alalshikh replied: “You are the best in your division now, there is no doubt about it👍🏻🥊.”
At 140 and 147, this version of Benn would fight some top names who operate at a faster pace and cleaner striking. Even some fighters at 135 would pose problems given the technical requirements.
Today’s performance suggests that the evolution we have been hearing about for years is mainly promotional language.
Benn seems to have hit a plateau. Against a faded background, Prograis still struggled with the same fundamental problems that had accompanied him from the beginning. He still prefers to throw challenging shots rather than set them up with sophisticated jabs or feints.
When Conor isn’t throwing, he’s a target. We saw this over and over again tonight. He lacks the head movement and footwork to deal with elite counter punchers at 140 and 147. When Plan A of physical intimidation doesn’t immediately take his opponent to the ground, it doesn’t look like he’s looking for a Plan B.
Tonight, Benn showed that he is a world-class fighter, touted as a superstar, and Shakur Stevenson took notice. If he can’t dominate a 37-year-old who’s making weight, how will he survive the 147 shark?
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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