A new report says Davis may not return until early 2027, leaving Haney to weigh a WBO mandatory defense against Keyshawn Davis or pursue other options
Devin Haney’s pursuit of a blockbuster fight could be on hold after a new report claimed Gervonta Davis is not expected to return until the first quarter of 2027. If the reported timeline proves accurate, Haney’s biggest commercial option disappears, leaving his WBO mandatory defense and other alternatives in focus.
Mike Coppinger of The Ring reported that Bill Haney relayed the timeline after a recent conversation with Premier Boxing Champions founder Al Haymon.
The timing is notable because Bill Haney spent last week publicly pursuing a fight with Davis, even making an offer on social media in an attempt to bring one of boxing’s biggest matchups to the negotiating table.
If Davis is indeed unavailable until early 2027, that option disappears for Haney’s next outing.
The report leaves Devin with far fewer lucrative alternatives. A fight with Shakur Stevenson remains one possibility, although no agreement has been reached, while the WBO has already ordered Haney to make a mandatory defense against Keyshawn Davis.
Haney and Keyshawn have been given a negotiation period to reach terms before purse bids are ordered. Should Haney choose not to make the mandatory defense, he would likely have to vacate the WBO welterweight title.
From a business standpoint, the situation is far from ideal. A fight against Tank has long been viewed as one of the biggest money-makers in American boxing, while a Shakur showdown would also command far greater attention than a mandatory defense against Keyshawn.
For Davis, the reported timetable would also mean nearly two years of inactivity by the time he returns in 2027, assuming he does not fight again before then.