Bob Arum ‘totally perplexed’ by Keyshawn Davis turning down Devin Haney fight

Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis were rumoured to be heading towards a WBO welterweight world title showdown. Davis had spoken publicly about his keenness to face Haney, while Haney, a promotional free agent but signed to DAZN (a deal yet to be officially announced), was also said to be keen on the bout. However, Top Rank and Davis were unable to agree on terms, so it went to purse bids, with Davis ultimately walking away from negotiations. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has now spoken to Fight Freaks Unite about the falling apart of the deal.

Devin Haney vs Keyshawn Davis purse bid

The purse bid was held at the WBO offices on July 31 and streamed live on the organisation’s YouTube channel, with two bidders paying a $2,000 participation fee.

It was a one-sided purse bid. Under Top Rank’s winning bid, Haney was entitled to 75% ($6,412,500), and Davis would get 25 % ($2,137,500). For Davis, that is noticeably less than what he would have gotten had he accepted the initial $3 million offer from Top Rank.

The other bid of $2,350,000 came from Teofimo Lopez’s Takeover Promotions.

The WBO gave “The Businessman” 48 hours to accept, but he took much less time to say no and ultimately reject a fight he had publicly called for.

Bob Arum reacts to Keyshawn Davis walking away from Devin Haney fight

Hearing Davis (15-0, 10 KOs) has walked away from the Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) fight has shocked much of the boxing world, including Arum, who told Fight Freaks Unite:

“Listen, I’m an old man. I don’t know what the thinking is. I don’t have any goddamn idea.”

“We went out and tried to make this fight for him because he shot his mouth off that this was the fight that he wanted. And when we made the fight he doesn’t want it.”

Arum described himself as being “totally perplexed” by Davis’ decision. Davis has yet to make any public statements as to his reasoning.

The Top Rank promoter also confirmed that they offered Davis, the former WBO lightweight titleholder, $3 million for the fight and that his biggest purse to date had been slightly over $1 million.

“We told him after the purse bid that we would find a way to boost his share to $3 million, which we had agreed to in the first place,” revealed Arum.

The 94-year-old also said Davis’s manager James Prince wanted the fight:

“James said he would go back to the kid and talk to him and we haven’t heard from him so I assume they’re not interested,” Arum said.

“James certainly wasn’t against it,” added Arum.

Bob Arum discusses next steps for Keyshawn Davis

Discussing next steps for Davis, Bob Arum revealed they had no specific plan for Davis now that he’s walked away from the Haney bout, but did say: “We’ll offer him a fight but nowhere near that amount of money.”

“That’s why I can’t understand,” Arum said. “Maybe I’m remembering things through rose colored glasses. I don’t believe fighters 10, 15 years ago, even five years ago, would act this way. He asked for (the fight).”

“If he called and said he’d do it, yeah (we’d do it) but it’s not going to go too long,” Arum said. “The WBO is going to move on and we’re gonna see if we can make Haney-(Tiger) Johnson,” added Arum.

It remains to be seen what is next for Keyshawn Davis. Clearly a highly-talented fighter, but one that continues to make questionable decisions, which are beginning to overshadow his unquestionable talent.

Featured Image Credit:

Mikey Williams/Top Rank