WBO President Confirms Keyshawn Davis Rejects Haney Fight

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri has confirmed that Keyshawn Davis will not move forward with the ordered welterweight title fight against champion Devin Haney after rejecting the purse bid terms.

Olivieri revealed on Friday that the sanctioning body received written notice from Davis’ attorney stating the mandatory challenger will not accept the 25 percent purse split established through Thursday’s purse bid proceedings.

“The World Boxing Organization (WBO) hereby confirms receipt of written notice from counsel on behalf of Mr. Keyshawn Davis advising that he will NOT accept the 25% purse split adjudicated pursuant to the official WBO purse bid proceedings and, accordingly, will NOT participate in the WBO Welterweight Mandatory Championship contest against Devin Haney,” said Olivieri on X.

The WBO added that its Championship Committee and Ratings Committee will now convene to determine the appropriate ruling under the organization’s championship rules. No timetable was announced for that decision.

Top Rank won promotional rights to the fight with a successful bid of $8.55 million. Under the WBO’s ordered 75-25 split, Haney’s share totaled $6,412,500, while Davis was slated to receive $2,137,500.

The confirmation brought an end to several hours of speculation after Bill Haney stated during a livestream that Davis had withdrawn from the fight. At the time, neither the WBO nor Davis’ representatives had publicly verified the claim. Olivieri’s statement has now removed any uncertainty over Davis’ position.

The WBO has not disclosed Davis’ reason for declining the purse bid. With the mandatory challenger no longer participating, attention now shifts to the Championship Committee’s ruling and the next step for Haney’s title defense.

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