Conor Benn Slams Devin Haney & Shakur Stevenson As “Track Stars”: Are Their Evasive Styles Hurting Boxing?

Conor Benn labeled Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson as “track stars” who would be better off on the track than in boxing. The welterweight contender, Benn, believes Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) and WBC lightweight champion Stevenson move too much for their own good.

(Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom)

Evasive Styles Draw Fan Criticism

Recently, Devin and Shakur have received criticism for their evasive, “Tom and Jerry” style of fights. Turki Alalshikh’s Times Square card in New York City was laughed at by fans for the under-performing Haney and Teofimo Lopez, who he’d paid millions to, choosing to run around the ring their entire fights. The fans who purchased the event on DAZN PPV were furious.

Zepeda vs. Shakur: Impact

Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) has a lot of pressure on him to perform and not revert to the movement he’s done in the past in his defense against William Zepeda on July 12th in Queens, New York.

With Turki laying down the law, saying he wants fighters to engage on his cards, it’s a signal to Shakur that he needs to stand in the center of the ring and fight. It might not be possible for him against a high-volume puncher like Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs).

Without running, Shakur loses that fight. But if he does run, he’ll displease Turki. Stevenson’s purse for the fight is estimated to be $3-4 million. That’s a lot of money for a fighter that typically doesn’t entertain.

Benn’s “Boring as Hell” Prediction

“They’re both track stars. I don’t even know what they’re doing in boxing. I don’t know Brian Norman, but what I do know is Devin Haney is a track star, and he’s going to have his running shoes on. The fight is going to be boring as hell, because any fight he’s in is boring as hell,” said Conor Benn to Fight Hub TV about the Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney fight in November.

Shakur used to be an entertaining fighter when he fought at 135, and enjoyed a huge size advantage over his smaller, often considerably smaller, opponents. But since his fight against George Kambosos Jr. in 2022, he’s been a mover and a clincher. He’s become less entertaining to watch for the average fan.

There are still pockets of fans that enjoy watching movers and huggers. They think it’s smart boxing. There are just not enough of them who want to watch that style when there are so many more entertaining fighters to watch. Turki Alalshikh has been Devin’s lifeline, choosing to use him on his cards despite the lack of interest from fans.

“Devin and Shakur,” said Conor when asked if Turki Alalshikh’s comment about not wanting any more Tom and Jerry fights on his Riyadh Season events was directed at Haney. “They’re both track stars. They’d definitely be more successful on the track for sure. They can’t help it. They’re fannies.”