Manny Pacquiao has emerged as a possible challenger for WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney after Keyshawn Davis withdrew from their ordered title fight.
Top Rank won the purse bid with an offer of $8.55 million, which would have paid Haney approximately $6.41 million and Davis around $2.14 million. Davis formally rejected the WBO’s 25 per cent challenger’s share and confirmed that he would not participate.
The WBO will now refer the matter to its Championship Committee and Ratings Committee. Their decision will determine whether another ranked contender is ordered to face Haney or whether the champion is temporarily allowed to pursue a voluntary defence.
Pacquiao is ranked fourth by the WBO. Davis is no longer available, Brian Norman Jr. has already lost to Haney, and Teofimo Lopez is scheduled to challenge Rolando Romero for the WBA title, making Pacquiao one of the most realistic remaining options.
A Haney fight would give the 47-year-old Pacquiao an opportunity to become a world champion again before a proposed rematch with Floyd Mayweather. However, the WBO has not officially ordered the matchup, and Pacquiao’s position depends on the committees’ upcoming ruling.
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