Shakur Stevenson's chance to become a three-division titlist will depend on how quickly Devin Haney decides to move up to the 140-pound division.

Haney, Oakland, California, is currently the undisputed champion of the 135-pound division. He became the fully unified champion earlier this year after he defeated Australia’s George Kambosos Jr. in the summer in Kambosos’ homeland. Haney repeated the achievement four months later in a contractually-mandated rematch.

Boxing fans have spoken glowingly of a possible meeting between 24-year-old Haney and 25-year-old Stevenson in the future, a match-up that should be easy to make given that they fight in the same weight class and share the same promoter in Top Rank. (Stevenson has yet to make his debut at 135, but he declared his intention of moving up after he failed to make weight in what was supposed to be a defense of his two 130-pound titles against Robson Conceicao in September).

But the bout is not likely to happen at 135. Haney has apparently struggled to make the 135-pound limit for a few fights now and has hinted at moving up to 140. That could happen right after Haney’s projected fight with three division titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko, possibly next spring, according to Top Rank head Bob Arum.

In a recent interview, Arum confirmed that Haney is likely to vacate his titles at some point next year, meaning it will open up a pathway for Stevenson to earn a belt at that time.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to get him in position where he’ll be ready to fight for the lightweight title because Devin is soon to go up to 140 after Lomachenko fight and that will open up 135 for Shakur,” Arum told Boxing Social.

Although he has yet to fight at 135, Stevenson has already experienced considerable frustration with the fragmented nature of the boxing business. Attempts to fight top contenders — William Zepeda, Isaac Cruz, George Kambosos Jr. — have so far not been successful. Stevenson recently expressed interest in the next highest ranked fighters, Shuichiro Yoshino and Jamaine Ortiz.

Arum said he expects Stevenson to make this 135-pound debut in March in his hometown of Newark.

“He’s a massive talent,” Arum said of Stevenson. “There’s so many unbelievable talented kids in the sport of boxing.

"We’re getting such great athletes in. Nice, young men who don’t abuse their position. They adhere to the straight and narrow and Shakur is a great talent and now he’s built up a massive following in his hometown of Newark, which is across the river from New York. …He’ll be coming back in March, and I can’t wait to be there."