Haney reposted a message from WBO president Gustavo Olivieri, which included a screenshot of an email stating Davis remains rated only at junior welterweight. The organization confirmed Davis cannot fight for the 147-pound title unless he submits a formal request to enter the welterweight rankings. The WBO stated no such request has been filed, leaving Davis outside the title path for now.
Eligibility Problem Emerges
The clarification comes after Davis began targeting Haney following his January 31 win over Jamaine Ortiz, which marked his debut at 140 pounds. Davis has spoken openly about pursuing bigger fights and challenging champions as he moves toward welterweight.
His recent public comments also placed distance between himself and the sanctioning system that controls title eligibility. Speaking on the “Come and Talk 2 Me” podcast, Davis questioned the value of sanctioning fees and the role of championship belts in his career.
“I’m not paying sanctioning fees no more, I don’t feel like it’s worth it,” Davis said on the It Is What It Is podcast. “I’m a superstar. Superstars don’t need belts. Belts need superstars.”
He continued by expanding on that position.
“Once you become that superstar, what you paying for a belt for? Why you throwing your money down the drain for? It’s like buying a chain. It looks good, but so what? Not trying to sh*t on WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO…but belts don’t matter to a certain extent.”
Under WBO rules, fighters must be formally rated in a division before they can be approved as title challengers. Several established contenders already occupy positions at welterweight, and without an official ranking, Davis cannot be considered for a title opportunity regardless of public callouts or interest in the matchup.
Davis has shown ambition to move quickly toward major fights, but the WBO’s confirmation makes clear that the administrative process still determines who can challenge for its title. Until Davis enters the welterweight rankings through the required request, a fight with Haney cannot move forward.
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