Devin Haney Faces 20-Day Deadline to Negotiate Mandatory Title Defense Against Keyshawn Davis
Devin Haney must secure a deal with Keyshawn Davis within 20 days to defend his WBO welterweight title or risk losing it, amidst ongoing talks for a potential showdown with Shakur Stevenson.
The WBO has officially mandated that Devin Haney must negotiate a title defense against Keyshawn Davis within 20 days. This ruling follows Haney's victory over Brian Norman Jr. last November, which crowned him as a three-weight world champion.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri stated, "The WBO Championship Committee has officially ordered the commencement of negotiations for the WBO Welterweight Mandatory Championship Title Defence." If an agreement isn't reached, a purse bid will be initiated, with a split of 75% to the champion and 25% to the challenger.
Despite Davis's lack of experience at 147lbs, his previous lightweight title reign positions him as a formidable contender. His recent unanimous decision win over Nahir Albright indicates readiness for the welterweight challenge, making this matchup a significant test for Haney's defensive skills.
Meanwhile, Haney's camp remains focused on a potential fight with Shakur Stevenson, who has yet to respond to a proposed catchweight bout at 144 pounds. Bill Haney emphasized the importance of this fight for Devin's legacy, stating, "We have Shakur Stevenson standing in the way of Devin’s quest to be on the Mount Rushmore of boxing." If negotiations with Stevenson falter, the mandatory defense against Davis will likely be Haney's next step.
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