Mike Coppinger revealed Saturday that Keyshawn Davis rejected a $3 million offer to challenge Devin Haney for the WBO welterweight title before the fight proceeded to a purse bid.
After Top Rank won the bid, Davis’ share dropped to approximately $2.13 million under the WBO’s 75-25 purse split. Davis ultimately walked away from that amount and formally withdrew as Haney’s mandatory challenger.
Coppinger reported Davis wanted $5 million net after management fees before accepting the fight.
“Keyshawn Davis, I’m told, was offered $3 million. He rejected, and it was pushed to a purse bid. The purse bid result would have paid him $2.13 million. His career-high purse is $1 million. He was looking for $5 million net to him (after management fees) to fight Haney,” said Coppinger on X.
The WBO later received formal notification that Davis was withdrawing from the mandatory position, ending weeks of negotiations between the camps.
Keyshawn’s position is difficult to justify. The guaranteed offer already represented by far the biggest payday of his career. Once negotiations reached a purse bid, his leverage declined because the WBO’s split heavily favored Haney as the defending champion. Walking away after that sequence leaves the impression Davis was chasing a figure the market wasn’t prepared to pay at this stage alone.
The withdrawal also reopens Haney’s schedule. With the mandatory obligation gone, he has greater freedom to pursue bigger commercial fights, including renewed discussions with Shakur Stevenson if both camps can agree on weight and financial terms.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/31 at 11:17 PM
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