Powcast Boxing Daily: Haney and Stevenson Talks Advance as Ortiz Eyes Thurman

Big fight negotiations lead today’s boxing news, with Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson discussing a showdown while Vergil Ortiz’s promoter works on a possible Keith Thurman matchup. We also look at the championship picture at 154 pounds, Moses Itauma’s comeback plans, recognition for Carlo Paalam, and upcoming fights involving Filipino talent.

1. Haney and Stevenson Discuss a Showdown, with Weight Still Unresolved

Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson are reportedly in advanced discussions, but there is no signed agreement yet. FIGHTMAG, citing BoxingScene, reports that Haney wants the fight at the 147 pound welterweight limit without a rehydration clause, while Stevenson wants a 144 pound catchweight. Haney became WBO welterweight champion by defeating Brian Norman Jr. by unanimous decision last November, while Stevenson took the organization’s 140 pound championship from Teofimo Lopez in January. Their reported records are 33 wins and no losses for Haney, with 15 knockouts and one no contest, and 25 wins without defeat for Stevenson, with 11 knockouts. The unresolved weight conditions remain central to whether this meeting between champions from neighboring divisions actually happens.

Source: fightmag.com

2. Golden Boy Pursues Ortiz Against Thurman to Keep Vergil Active

Oscar De La Hoya says Golden Boy Promotions is working on a possible Vergil Ortiz fight against Keith Thurman, potentially on a David Benavidez card. Speaking to Fight Hub TV in an interview reported by Bad Left Hook, the promoter stressed that Thurman is not yet the confirmed opponent because negotiations remain underway. De La Hoya explained that Ortiz cannot stay inactive while Jaron Ennis and Sebastian Fundora pursue other assignments, making an alternative opponent necessary. Thurman would bring the experience and name recognition of a former world champion, but there is no final agreement or specific date in this update. For fans waiting for Ortiz against Ennis, the immediate development is a different fight being explored rather than progress toward that particular matchup.

Source: badlefthook.com

3. Kelly’s Camp Says Ennis Terms Are Agreed, but a Date Is Missing

Josh Kelly’s trainer and manager, Adam Booth, says both camps have agreed terms for Kelly to fight Jaron “Boots” Ennis, with Matchroom still waiting for DAZN to provide a date. Booth told The Ring that early January now looks likely, although a specific event date has not been announced. Kelly holds the IBF junior middleweight championship and underwent surgery for a broken nose after his July 25 unanimous decision victory over Caoimhin Agyarko in Jeddah. Ennis holds the WBA and WBO championships at 154 pounds, giving the proposed meeting the potential to unite three major belts. The important distinction is that Booth is describing progress from Kelly’s camp, while fans still need a complete event announcement before making plans around the fight.

Source: ringmagazine.com

4. Fundora Shrugs Off Hadribeaj’s Knockout Predictions

Sebastian Fundora has dismissed Ermal Hadribeaj’s knockout predictions ahead of their October 17 WBC junior middleweight championship fight at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. In a new interview with The Ring, Fundora said he had seen the challenger’s social media posts and pointed out that previous opponents had made similar promises. Fundora stopped Keith Thurman in the sixth round on March 28, his fourth consecutive victory since Brian Mendoza knocked him out in April 2023. Hadribeaj earned this opportunity with a unanimous decision over Bakary Samake in a WBC eliminator on May 23 in Germany. The champion says his attention remains on the mandatory challenger, even as potential unification fights create interest elsewhere in the division.

Source: ringmagazine.com

5. Hearn Says Whittaker Needs Another Fight Before a Title Challenge

Eddie Hearn believes Ben Whittaker needs another competitive outing before challenging for a world championship, according to comments published by Bad Left Hook. Whittaker won a unanimous decision over Conor Wallace, but a difficult closing stretch left the Matchroom promoter unconvinced that he was ready for opponents such as Callum Smith or Dmitry Bivol. Hearn said Whittaker needed to beat opposition at Wallace’s level more convincingly before making that leap. He also relayed trainer Andy Lee’s explanation that illness had affected the camp, while maintaining that entering the ring meant accepting responsibility for the performance. The weekend result provides the background, with the newly published assessment explaining why another fight could come before the title opportunity.

Source: badlefthook.com

6. Itauma Keeps Davison as a January Return Is Planned

Moses Itauma will keep Ben Davison as his trainer following his first professional defeat against Filip Hrgovic in August, talkSPORT reports. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed the decision after a meeting to review the loss and said the 21 year old is expected to return in January against a lower level of opposition. Itauma had been ahead before exhaustion contributed to his ninth round stoppage defeat, bringing his conditioning under scrutiny. No opponent or exact comeback date has been announced, leaving the next performance as the test of the team’s adjustments.

Source: talksport.com

7. PSC Recognizes Paalam’s Silver Medal and the Effort Behind It

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio has singled out the country’s Asian Games silver medalists, including boxer Carlo Paalam, in a report published today by The Philippine Star. Gregorio acknowledged the disappointment of finishing one victory short of gold while praising the athletes for securing podium finishes. The report noted a ₱1 million cash reward for silver medalists and also recognized competitors who narrowly missed medals, including boxers Nesthy Petecio and Jumilardo Ogayre. The Philippines finished with 29 medals across the Games, its largest total since collecting 42 in 1966. For boxing followers, today’s development is the official recognition of the athletes’ efforts, rather than a new result or a decision reviewing the officiating.

Source: philstar.com

Upcoming Boxing Events to Watch

Dates below refer to the local date at the fight venue.

Watch for official agreements on the proposed big fights and the upcoming defenses that could reshape the championship picture. Which would you rather see next, Haney against Stevenson or Ortiz against Thurman, and what makes it the more interesting matchup?