BREAKING NEWS! Gervonta Davis SURPRISED WITH NEW PREPARATION FOR FIGHT Shakur Stevenson /Devin Haney

BREAKING NEWS! Gervonta Davis SURPRISED WITH NEW PREPARATION FOR FIGHT Shakur Stevenson Devin Haney The decision was made right at the eleventh hour of the extended deadline provided to Haney whether to next fight at 140 or remain at lightweight, where 2016 Olympic Silver medalist and former two-division titlist Shakur Stevenson is the mandatory challenger. Stevenson is the number-one ranked WBO lightweight contender and has petitioned to be named mandatory. Haney also has a confirmed mandatory with the IBF, where Argentina’s Gustavo Lemos is the challenger in waiting. It has been theorized that Lemos would ultimately fight for the vacant title, potentially versus Mexico City’s Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz if he beats Giovani Cabrera on the Errol Spence-Terence Crawford undercard this Saturday in Las Vegas. Cruz is the next highest ranked contender in line and has already twice rejected paths that would allow him to move up in the WBC rankings and challenge for its title. The WBA situation is the least problematic. Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis (29-0, 27KOs) holds the ‘Regular’ lightweight title and would be upgraded to ‘Full’ champ under a scenario where Haney abandoned—or is ordered to act on—his WBA ‘Super’ title status. For now, the focus is on whether Haney-Prograis will get made and whether he will enter the ring as undisputed champion. Stevenson and his team will undoubtedly want confirmation on the latter before either he or Haney enter the ring, as it is abundantly clear it will no longer come versus each other. However, Boxing Scene has learned that Haney’s team has petitioned the WBC to instead retain his lightweight title through his potential fight versus Prograis. Stevenson’s side, in turn, has petitioned the WBC to honor its previous ruling and declare the title vacant based on Haney’s decision to not honor his mandatory title defense. Boxing Scene has additionally learned that the matter will now appear before the WBC Board of Governors, who will vote on whether to grant Haney’s request or declare its lightweight title vacant. Efforts to contact the WBC, and representatives for Haney and Stevenson were not immediately returned as this goes to publication. The current steps in place provide, in effect, a second extension to original July 21 deadline imposed to resolve this dilemma. It’s also a violation of its own rules which disallow for modifications under such circumstances. However, it remains unclear what action—if any—will be taken should the WBC approve Haney’s request to retain his title through his next fight. It would directly impact the status of Stevenson’s next contest since he is entitled to next challenge for the title.