Garcia Calls Davis 'Scared' After Haney Withdrawal
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Keyshawn Davis walked away from a WBO-mandated shot at Devin Haney's welterweight title after a purse bid awarded him $2.14 million for an October 3 fight.
Top Rank won the promotional rights Thursday with an $8.55 million offer that would have paid Haney 75 percent of the purse. Davis, who had lobbied publicly for the Haney matchup, declined the opportunity Friday. According to The Ring's Mike Coppinger, Davis rejected an earlier $3 million guarantee and was holding out for $5 million net after management fees — more than five times his previous career-high payday of $1 million.
🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Devin Haney vs. Keyshawn Davis on Ticketmaster →
Garcia Questions Davis's Willingness To Fight Haney
WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia ripped Davis for the decision on social media. "Keyshawn should've taken the fight with Devin – disappointed," Garcia wrote. "Davis had a big opportunity and denied it for money. Don't be scared to fight Haney. At worst, you lose a 12-round decision. He doesn't hit hard."
Davis earned mandatory status despite never competing at 147 pounds. The Norfolk native stopped Jamaine Ortiz in January and outpointed Nahir Albright in May, both at junior welterweight. Haney claimed the WBO strap in November by dropping and decisioning Brian Norman in his welterweight debut.
🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Devin Haney vs. Keyshawn Davis on Ticketmaster →
The fight would have landed in Brooklyn, Atlanta, or Las Vegas. Davis is 15-0 with 10 knockouts; Haney sits at 33-0 with 15 stoppages and ranks No. 1 at welterweight in The Ring's ratings.
Source: ringmagazine.com
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