Devin Haney vs. Keyshawn Davis - Who wins?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Devin Haney Willing To Defend WBO Title Against Keyshawn Davis

Devin Haney says he is open to a fight Keyshawn Davis.

Earlier this month, Davis said on 'Inside The Ring' that if he comes through his junior welterweight debut against Jamaine Ortiz on 'The Ring 6' in New York City on January 31, he would move straight up to 147 pounds.

Haney recently tweeted that he was 'looking at a few different options' for his next fight after winning the WBO welterweight title from Brian Norman Jr. in November on 'The Ring IV: Night of the Champions'.

"He's waiting to see what I do with Jamaine," Davis responded, to which Haney aptly replied: "You on the list, we can get it on."

Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) hasn't been in the ring since he was stripped of his WBO lightweight title in June after missing weight by 4.3 pounds for his clash with Edwin De Los Santos, which was canceled as a result.

Davis was also involved in a backstage altercation with former opponent Nahir Albright, who beat Davis' older brother Kelvin on that same card, rounding off a catastrophic week for the Olympic silver medalist.

But now he's back, and Ortiz, who only has losses to Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez on his record, stands in his way.

Haney was an undisputed champion at 135 pounds and picked up a title at 140 before becoming a three-weight champ last year.

Davis might skip chasing a belt at junior welterweight but if he can perform how he did against Denys Berinchyk in his last fight, at 147 pounds, it might not be long before he finds himself with gold around his waist once more.

[Sendo Takeshi]

There is no way he should go up one more weight-class to fight Haney. It won't even be competetive.
I'm not even sure he wins against Ortiz.

Haney also shouldn't fight someone who just fought at Lightweight and didn't win defend one Championship belt.

[gilgamesh]

I'd favor Haney. Haney seems to be the only dude among the Welterweight/Lightweights that isn't scared to fight names.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO likely to order Devin Haney-Keyshawn Davis for August super fight

Keyshawn Davis has been elevated to WBO No. 1 welterweight contender, and will likely be ordered as three-division champion Devin Haney’s mandatory challenger this summer, Boxing Scene has learned.

Davis, the former WBO lightweight champion, only fought once at 140lbs, but struggled to make the junior welterweight limit, needing two attempts to make weight before his victory over Nahir Albright.

Davis previously lost his 135lb title on the scales, coming in 4.3 pounds over the lightweight limit for his contest against Edwin De Los Santos that was subsequently scrapped. Bypassing an IBF 140lbs title shot at Mexico’s Lindolfo Delgado, he will now move to a more comfortable weight of 147lbs, where the WBO have rewarded him for his recent run of form.

The WBO ranked Davis at No.1 following Jack Catterall’s decision to pursue a WBA “regular” title against Shakhram Giyasov last month. The WBO chose to give Davis the top spot over the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Teofimo Lopez, Brian Norman Jnr and Arnold Barboza Jnr, all who have come off losses or a draw over the past 13 months.

Davis’ wins over Jamaine Ortiz and Albright in 2026 launched the 2021 U.S. Olympic silver medalist to No.1.

Boxing Scene has learned that the WBO welterweight champion Haney will soon be ordered to face his mandatory challenger. That mandatory is due in August, and could very likely be Davis following today’s recent ranking.

With no agreement currently struck between Haney and Zuffa Boxing, the new promotional outfit’s views on the traditional four belts should not stand in the way of the contest.

[gilgamesh]

Davis is the #1 contender according to the WBO in a division he's never fought in. These orgs really have integrity let me tell ya.

That being said, I like the matchup.

[Cent0089]

Will this be twitter fight or boxing fight?

[MPW]

I'm not a fan of either boxer - I'm sure they're both crushed by that proclamation - but it has the potential to be an interesting match up. It could turn out to be a firecracker of a chess match or it could be an insomnia-curing dud.

[Ruthless-RKO]

HANEY'S MANDATED DEFENSE AGAINST KEYSHAWN DAVIS DUE IN AUGUST

Devin Haney appears to be happy about the WBO's decision, after a rankings update has seen a new top welterweight contender inserted.
The sanctioning body has officially placed Keyshawn Davis, a former WBO 135-pound champion and 2020 Olympic silver medalist, as the number one contender in its new welterweight rankings.

The sanctioning body also informed The Ring that Haney's mandatory is due in August. Once news broke, three-division champion Haney wasted no time calling Davis (15-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC) out.

Two factors prompted the WBO's decision. Jack Catterall recently won the WBA's secondary title against Shakhram Giyasov on the Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven undercard in Egypt, seeing the Brit removed from their rankings. He told The Ring's John Evans about why he chose not to wait on Haney, pursuing a different title route.

Immediately following Davis' lopsided points win over Nahir Albright the previous week, the 27-year-old declared a desire to move up in weight again. He also declined an IBF 140-pound title fight against Lindolfo Delgado.

Haney (33-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC), who dropped and outpointed then-champion Brian Norman (29-1, 23 KOs, 2 NC) at "The Ring IV: Night of Champions" last November 22, has been waiting for a big fight this year.

A proposed WBO/WBA unification with Rolando "Rolly" Romero fell through due to financial reasons, though the 27-year-old has stated a desire to challenge himself against the best.

[joshj909]

Interesting fight if it gets mandated

[Evander]

Nothing there convinced me they're close to making anything other than hype.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Devin Haney prods Keyshawn Davis for title showdown

The pen is mightier than the talk.

First, there was a social-media exchange between two of the sport’s most prominent players, former lightweight champion Keyshawn Davis and the father-manager-trainer of three-division champion Devin Haney, Bill Haney.

That provoked an action that could bring the fighters toward a super-fight this year, with the WBO on Tuesday jumping No. 1-ranked 140lbs contender Davis to No. 1 behind Haney in the sanctioning body’s welterweight rankings.

“Let’s do it, Keyshawn,” Haney wrote on “X” upon learning of Davis’ promotion.

As Haney 33-0 (15KOs) is coming off a November victory over former champion Brian Norman Jnr, 2021 U.S. Olympic silver-medalist Davis 15-0 (10KOs) last month defeated rival Nahir Albright in a hometown 140lbs bout in Norfolk, Virginia.

He’d previously confronted the elder Haney to make the fight happen, bringing Bill Haney to say he’d “stand on it.”

Although there have been industry whispers that Haney is heading to Zuffa Boxing, an official updated on the matter Tuesday told Boxing Scene there’s no pressing impediment that would keep Haney-Davis from being negotiated and made.

Now, all that’s missing is ink to paper.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO: Haney must defend title vs. Keyshawn next, or will be stripped

Devin Haney can fight Shakur Stevenson next if he wishes, but if that's the case, the 27-year-old will be stripped of the WBO welterweight title.

Earlier this week, the three-division champion verbally agreed online to face Stevenson at a 144-pound catchweight next. The WBO however, is reiterating its position with the champion's next move.

In the latest rankings update, the sanctioning body upgraded Keyshawn Davis to the No. 1 contender spot for Haney's welterweight strap after he declared a desire to move up in weight once more. Days later, The Ring learned Haney's mandatory defense is due in August.

In a second conversation after Haney-Stevenson picked up speed, the WBO stood behind its original decision.
“Devin must discharge of his mandatory next.”

This development will be music to Davis' ears after the 27-year-old said he was done with the junior welterweight division following wins over Jamaine Ortiz (TKO12) and a Nahir Albright rematch (UD12) earlier this year.

Proving he had stuck with the decision he'd outlined in the ring May 16, he declined an IBF 140-pound title fight against Lindolfo Delgado for the championship vacated by Richardson Hitchins earlier this year.

Haney (33-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC) appeared to have no qualms fighting Davis next and instead welcomed the challenge.

Haney has stressed facing Stevenson would dwarf any proposed Davis fight, as big as it could prove to be.

Weight has always been the stumbling block preventing Stevenson-Haney from being agreed, though Ring and WBO junior welterweight champion Stevenson has flirted with moving back down too as he surveys his options.

So far, the slick and hard-to-hit 28-year-old is only willing to fight Haney at a 144-pound catchweight and Haney making their back-and-forth public adds pressure to make something concrete with neither booked for a fight.

Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) and Haney may very well decide to fight next. But should that happen, the WBO is prepared to take action.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The WBO have officially ordered Devin Haney to defend his welterweight title against the number one ranked contender Keyshawn Davis.

Both parties have 20 days to reach an agreement before going to purse bids.

[Sendo Takeshi]

Let's hope this fight get's made. Davis needs some humbling.
Devin should prepare the security guards in his locker room though.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO Gives Haney, Davis 20 Days To Make Deal Before Purse Bid

Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis were officially ordered Tuesday to enter the negotiating room by the WBO.

The 147-pound champion and his No. 1 contender are now on the clock. They have 20 days to voluntarily agree to a deal or the WBO will order a purse bid that will favor Haney by a 75-25 split.

Gustavo Olivieri, president of the sanctioning body, announced the order on X.

For Davis, this was encouraging news. The 2020 Olympic silver medalist has called Haney out on numerous occasions.

Although he hasn’t officially fought at 147 pounds just yet, Davis announced that he was leaving the junior welterweight division behind following his lopsided points win over Nahir Albright in their rematch May 16 at Scope Arena in Davis’ hometown of Norfolk, Virginia.

Soon after, he was installed as the number one contender and mandatory challenger for Haney’s strap.
Haney (33-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC), of Henderson, Nevada, hasn’t fought since he beat Brian Norman Jr. (29-1, 23 KOs) by unanimous decision to win the WBO belt November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Haney has entertained a possible fight against Davis (15-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC) all along, but recently, he has attempted to get his hands on other fighters.

Haney, ranked No. 8 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list, and the third-ranked Stevenson agreed to a 144-pound, catch-weight bout against Ring and WBO junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) on social media three weeks ago. Haney also suggested that a fight against Gervonta Davis is possible.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO orders Devin Haney to face Keyshawn Davis

Keyshawn Davis’ welterweight debut could be a title shot against Devin Haney

After failing to secure a unification bout with Rolly Romero or a showdown with super lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, WBO welterweight titlist Devin Haney is on the clock to meet mandatory challenger Keyshawn. Sanctioning body president Gustavo Olivieri has given the pair 20 days to negotiate and avoid a purse bid, which would see Haney the beneficiary of a 75/25 split.

Stop by the comments in that post to see Olivieri try and justify the questionable rankings involved, complete with a cameo from former no. 1 contender Jack Catterall.

Olympic silver medalist Davis (15-0, 10 KO) thrashed Denys Berinchyk for the lightweight title in February of last year, only to lose it on the scales ahead of a planned defense against Edwin De Los Santos. Two appearances at 140 followed, both dominant victories over Jamaine Ortiz and Nahir Albright, but barely made weight against he latter and subsequently elected to jump up to 147 rather than get better at keeping his size in check.

While he’s potentially skilled enough to get away with the James Toney approach to fitness for a while yet, it’s a bad look, much like how it’s a bad look for the WBO to name him the mandatory challenger without a single win in the division. Then again, Manny Pacquiao is no. 2 without a win in the 2020s, so I guess it could be worse.

Haney (33-0, 15 KO) hasn’t seen action since outclassing Brian Norman Jr to become a three-division champion in November. He appears to be out of options to avoid Davis, so we’ll see if this one gets over the finish line.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO orders Devin Haney to face Keyshawn Davis in mandatory welterweight defense

Earlier today, WBO Founder & Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista Salas sent an order for a mandatory WBO welterweight championship fight to Bill Haney, manager of champion Devin Haney, and Top Rank’s Bob Arum, promoter of No. 1 contender Keyshawn Davis, for the two teams to immediately begin negotiations for a showdown.

Further, according to Salas’ order, “pursuant to the authority vested in the World Boxing Organization ('WBO') Championship Committee under the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests… The parties are hereby granted a period of twenty (20) days from the issuance of this Official Negotiation Order to negotiate and reach an agreement for the above-captioned championship contest.”

If the parties fail to reach an agreement within the 20 days, the WBO will conduct a purse bid “in accordance with the applicable provisions of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.”

Either party can request an immediate purse bid before the 20-day deadline if negotiations are non-productive.

The proposed fight would be the first mandatory defense for Haney’s belt, which the three-weight world champion won by defeating Brian Norman Jr by unanimous decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last November.

Despite his lofty standing in the 147lbs division, former WBO lightweight champ Davis has never fought at welterweight. He was last seen scoring a wide unanimous decision over rival Nahir Albright in May.

[Ruthless-RKO]

either the fight gets made, or it doesn't happen.

Davis is not going to accept 25% at purse bids.

[Sendo Takeshi]

either the fight gets made, or it doesn't happen.

Hard to argue with math that flawless

[Ruthless-RKO]

either the fight gets made, or it doesn't happen.

Hard to argue with math that flawless

Meaning during the negotiation period lol

[Ruthless-RKO]

Arum confident in Keyshawn Davis, but gives Haney edge

Keyshawn Davis has dominated his opponents, but fighting Devin Haney is a different proposition, according to promoter Bob Arum.

The WBO last week ordered Haney, its welterweight champion, to open negotiations with No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Davis for a title defense. And Arum, who promotes Davis, said talks are under way.

Arum loves the matchup from a fan standpoint and believes his talented fighter would hold his own. However, he said Haney (33-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC) must be given the edge because of one factor.

“That’s a spectacular fight, a real fan-friendly fight,” Arum told spam.com. “I hope we can make that fight. I know our people have talked to Haney, and we’ll be talking to Keyshawn.

"That would be a super, super fight for fight fans. You have to give the edge to Haney because of his experience, but I wouldn’t count Keyshawn out against anyone.”

Davis, a 2020 Olympic silver medalist, recently declined an opportunity to fight Lindolfo Delgado for the vacant IBF 140-pound title. Instead, after scoring a wide points win over Nahir Albright in May, he opted to move up in weight.

Fighting Davis (15-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC) would earn Handy a handsome payday and more respect in the boxing world. However, he believes that a victory over Stevenson would take his career to another level.

Haney and Stevenson agreed on social media a few weeks ago to fight at a catchweight of 144 pounds, but nothing of substance has occurred since that agreement.

Haney took the WBO welterweight title from Brian Norman by a unanimous decision in November, which was his most recent fight. He's No. 8 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Romero blasts Haney, says Keyshawn Davis 'dogs' him if they fight

Rolando Romero didn't specify if Keyshawn Davis is a breed of boxer or a bullmastiff, but he did make biting remarks stating that "The Businessman" definitely has too much dog in him for Devin Haney to handle.

A bout between the WBO welterweight champion Haney (33-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC) and Davis (15-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC), his mandatory challenger, was ordered by the sanctioning body last month, and the clock is ticking for the fight to be made in the coming days.

Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) recently came close to securing a deal to fight Haney. However, the arrangement couldn’t be made, and the WBA 147-pound champion decided to meet Teofimo Lopez Jr. (22-2, 13 KOs) on August 22 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on DAZN and Prime Video Pay-Per-View.

“I hope Devin fights his mandatory because he's trying to get out of the Keyshawn fight,” Romero told The Ring and other media. “I think Keyshawn can take it. Keyshawn has that dog in him. When people have that dog, and you don't have power, you can't do anything about it. You have to straight up deal with it. Keyshawn has a lot of experience and is an Olympian. On top of that, he's big and long.”

Romero then explained why the title unification fight against Haney fell through and the aftermath.

“I pressed the initiative. We sent the offer, and he said it was a respectable offer. And then he said we outpriced ourselves. It doesn't make any sense,” Romero said.

“The Devin Haney fan base is completely filled with idiots. They just go off whatever initiative they think it is. They think people are actually ducking this dude. I think he has a bunch of bot accounts from Pakistan that work for him.”

Haney caught wind of Romero's comments and offered a rebuttal.

"Using me to promote. Rolly has no fans. He came off the biggest win of his career and sat on the shelf for a year," Haney said on social media.

Romero, a 30-year-old from Las Vegas, last fought in May 2025 in New York and dropped Ryan Garcia en route to scoring a career-best unanimous decision victory.