Bob Arum says he cannot understand Keyshawn Davis’ decision to withdraw from his ordered WBO welterweight title fight against Devin Haney after Top Rank worked to secure the opportunity.
Davis had publicly pushed for the fight despite never previously competing at 147 pounds. He became WBO lightweight champion by stopping Denys Berinchyk, then moved up and was surprisingly installed as Haney’s mandatory challenger after his May win over Nahir Albright.
Top Rank reportedly first proposed a deal worth around $3 million to Davis, but no agreement was reached. The fight then went to purse bids, where Top Rank won promotional rights with an $8.55 million offer.
Under the WBO’s 75-25 split in favour of the champion, Haney was entitled to the larger share while Davis would have received approximately $2.14 million.
Davis ultimately withdrew from the fight, prompting criticism that he had talked his way into a title opportunity only to walk away once the financial terms were confirmed.
“We went out and tried to make this fight for him because he shot his mouth off that this was the fight he wanted,” Arum said. “And when we made the fight, he doesn’t want it.”
Haney is now searching for a new opponent after last competing in November, when he defeated Brian Norman Jr. to win the WBO welterweight title.
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