WBO Tells Devin Haney To Face Keyshawn Davis Before Shakur Stevenson

The sanctioning body says Haney’s mandatory welterweight title defense is due next despite growing talk of a Stevenson fight

Devin Haney’s pursuit of a fight with Shakur Stevenson has hit a major obstacle after the WBO reiterated that mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis is next in line. The sanctioning body told Ring Magazine that Haney must satisfy his mandatory title defense if he intends to remain WBO welterweight champion.

“Devin must discharge of his mandatory next,” the WBO told Ring.

The statement comes after Keyshawn Davis was elevated to the #1 spot in the WBO’s latest welterweight rankings following his decision to campaign full-time at 147 pounds. The Ring reported that Haney’s mandatory title defense is due in August, leaving little room for alternative plans if he intends to keep hold of the belt.

Keyshawn had already indicated that he was finished competing at light welterweight after victories over Jamaine Ortiz and Nahir Albright earlier this year. He later reinforced that commitment by declining an opportunity to fight Lindolfo Delgado for the vacant IBF 140-pound title.

Haney has publicly acknowledged Davis as a possible opponent but has also maintained that a fight with Stevenson would represent the bigger event. Stevenson, meanwhile, has insisted that any clash between the pair would need to take place at a 144-pound catchweight.

Should Haney proceed with a Stevenson fight next, the WBO appears prepared to strip him of its welterweight title. If he wishes to remain champion, the organization’s message remains unchanged: Keyshawn Davis comes first.