“They offered Keyshawn Davis, I was told, a little over $3 million to fight Devin Haney. The fight then goes to a purse bid; Top Rank bids. Keyshawn, by WBO rules, gets 25% of the $8.5 million, meaning He was entitled to $2.2 million. In the aftermath of that… Keyshawn Davis has withdrawn from the ordered fight against Devin Haney,” Mannix said on Boxing with Mannix & Mora.
Mannix argued Davis still lacks the standing enjoyed by established champions and pay-per-view attractions. Haney earned that financial flexibility after headline victories over fighters such as Vasiliy Lomachenko, Regis Prograis and Ryan Garcia, while Davis has yet to secure a signature win at welterweight. A victory over Haney, Mannix argued, would have immediately changed Davis’ position in the sport, opening the door to lucrative fights against names like Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez.
Former junior middleweight champion Sergio Mora initially defended Davis, suggesting James Prince may already have another plan in place.
“They have something up their sleeve. I’ve known James Prince for a long time… he’s a patient player. I bet you there’s more money that we don’t know about,” Mora said.
Mannix remained unconvinced, stressing that Davis is still bound by a promotional agreement that gives Top Rank significant control over his immediate future.
“If your promoter offers you the minimums and you turn it down, they are going to extend your contract. Keyshawn has a promoter. Keyshawn has a contract,” Mannix said. “It just seems to me that Top Rank made what feels like a pretty reasonable offer. That’s exactly what he was asking for, and he’s walking away from it.”
By the end of the discussion, Mora conceded the move carries real risk if a larger opportunity never materializes.
“If he doesn’t get the money that he expects, then I regret it in the end. So Keyshawn, if he doesn’t get the money and he’s just wasting time. Only time will tell,” Mora said.
Mannix’s argument comes down to leverage. Haney negotiated from the position of an established champion with marquee victories and multiple promotional options. Keyshawn was still a mandatory challenger under contract. Unless another major opportunity emerges soon, rejecting the Haney fight risks leaving him inactive while the welterweight division continues moving without him.
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