Eddie Hearn: Zuffa needs Devin Haney to justify Shakur deal

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn believes Zuffa Boxing painted itself into a corner with its big-money deal for Shakur Stevenson.

According to a Bad Left Hook report, Hearn told his podcast that Zuffa's investment in Stevenson leaves the promotion desperate to secure Devin Haney — the one opponent worth the price tag — which gives Haney all the leverage. "They need Devin Haney," Hearn said. "When you're paying someone that much money, who are you going to put them in with?"

Why Haney holds the cards in Stevenson talks

Hearn noted that Haney had been close to signing with Zuffa himself but now finds himself in what the promoter called a "brilliant position" rather than no man's land. The issue, Hearn explained, is that Stevenson's claim of being able to fight anyone under the new deal does not match reality. Champions and top names tied to DAZN remain out of reach, leaving Stevenson with limited marquee options outside of Haney.

"The problem with Devin and Bill is when they understand they have leverage, they're hard work," Hearn added. "So, good luck to Devin."

On the freshly announced Ryan Garcia versus Conor Benn fight, Hearn said Zuffa expected total control but ended up co-promoting with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy on a DAZN and Paramount split. "It's incredibly humbling," Hearn said of the arrangement. "It's teaching them how boxing works."

No date has been set for either Stevenson-Haney or Garcia-Benn, though both are expected to land in the second half of the year.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — ‘They need Devin Haney’: Eddie Hearn says Zuffa may have to dig deep make fight with Shakur Stevenson, talks Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn