Romero predicts Keyshawn Davis beats Haney in WBO title clash

Rolando Romero believes Keyshawn Davis would defeat Devin Haney if the WBO welterweight title fight gets made.

The sanctioning body ordered Haney to face mandatory challenger Davis last month, and Romero told The Ring the champion is trying to avoid the matchup. "I think Keyshawn can take it. Keyshawn has that dog in him," Romero said. "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."

Failed Haney unification talks and Lopez pivot

Romero nearly secured a unification bout with Haney before negotiations collapsed. The Las Vegas fighter said his team sent a proposal that Haney deemed respectable before changing course. "He said it was a respectable offer. And then he said we outpriced ourselves. It doesn't make any sense," Romero told reporters. Haney instead committed to facing Teofimo Lopez Jr. on August 22 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Haney responded to Romero's comments on social media, accusing his rival of using his name for attention. "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 wrote.

Romero has been inactive since May 2025, when he scored a career-best unanimous decision over Ryan Garcia in New York. Davis holds a 15-0 record with 10 knockouts and one no-contest, matching Haney's unblemished ledger of 33-0 with 15 knockouts and one no-contest at welterweight. The WBO champion and mandatory challenger have days remaining to finalize their ordered bout.

Source: ringmagazine.com