Devin Haney vs Keyshawn Davis world title fight in doubt despite $8.5m purse bid win

Doubts swirl around Devin Haney vs Keyshawn Davis despite Top Rank winning a purse bid to promote the fight.

Bob Arum‘s outfit submitted a lucrative bid of $8.55million on Thursday to blow the $2.35m offered by Takeover Promotions out of the water.

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Top Rank, which represents Davis, and the Teofimo Lopez-owned Takeover Promotions were the sole bidders for Haney’s WBO welterweight title defence.

The WBO was informed by Top Rank in its bid letter that it intends to stage the fight on October 3 at either New York’s Barclays Center, Las Vegas’ Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay or Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.

Haney has since taken to X, formerly Twitter, to push for the fight to take place in Atlanta, writing: “ATL.. let’s go!”

Why is Devin Haney vs Keyshawn Davis in doubt?

While Haney (33-0-1) has agreed to his side of the deal, according to esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael, the situation isn’t moving as quickly on Davis’ (15-0) end.

This is because there are “multiple millions” between Top Rank’s offer and the purse Davis is asking for.

The WBO stipulates that 75 per cent of the total prizepot ($6.4125m) goes to champion Haney.

That leaves Davis with a 25 per cent cut, equating to $2.1375m.

Davis has 48 hours to confirm in writing his willingness to face Haney.

The fight must be signed within 10 days of Thursday, July 30.

If Haney were to suffer an injury, he has 180 days to reschedule.

Matchroom

Should Davis pull out of the scheduled date for any reason, then the WBO has the right to order a new challenger.

The next highest-rated contender behind No.1-ranked Davis is No.2-ranked Brian Norman Jr, whom Haney won the belt from last November via unanimous decision in his last outing.

Davis has yet to compete at welterweight, but received a high ranking at 147lbs after previously holding the WBO’s version of the lightweight (135lbs) world title.

He picked up the burgundy and gold strap in February 2025 by blowing away Denys Berinchyk in four rounds.

Davis was stripped of his belt on the scales ahead of his planned first defence against Edwin De Los Santos in June 2025 after missing weight by 4.3lbs.

‘The Businessman’s’ last two fights have taken place at super lightweight (140lbs), where he defeated Jamaine Ortiz and Nahir Albright in January and May, respectively.

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