WBO executive Gustavo Olivieri confirmed Thursday that Top Rank submitted the winning $8.55 million purse bid, securing the promotional rights for Haney’s title defense against Davis. The sanctioning body also announced an October 3 fight date, with Haney receiving $6,412,500 and Davis $2,137,500 under the organization’s mandated 75-25 split.
The final figure also puts recent speculation into perspective. Rumors circulated that Davis was seeking at least a $3 million guarantee during negotiations. Although that was never officially confirmed, the winning bid finished well below the $12 million that would have been required for him to receive that amount under the WBO’s mandated 75-25 split.
Keyshawn now faces an important decision. Under WBO purse bid rules, the 75-25 split became fixed once the bidding concluded, leaving no room to renegotiate his percentage.
He essentially has two options.
The first is to sign the contract and bet on himself. The guaranteed purse represents the largest payday of his professional career, while a victory over Haney would immediately raise his standing at welterweight and create opportunities for even larger purses.
The alternative is to decline the fight. Doing so risks surrendering his mandatory opportunity with the WBO while passing on a title shot that has already been secured through the purse bid. It also would leave him searching for another opponent capable of generating a comparable payday.
The purse bid leaves little room for further financial maneuvering. The 75-25 split is locked in under WBO rules, and attention now turns to Davis’ decision.
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