Devin Haney has encountered difficulties booking his next WBO welterweight title defense following collapsed negotiations with Keyshawn Davis and Liam Paro. Former world champion Tim Bradley claims opponents fear Haney’s boxing skills, though financial demands remain the primary obstacle to securing contracts.
Bradley suggested that potential challengers are actively avoiding the champion due to his technical proficiency rather than elite knockout power. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bradley highlighted the unusual dynamic surrounding Haney’s current standing at welterweight. “You would think that a guy with tremendous punching power, right, you would think that everybody would try to duck that smoke like a Mike Tyson or something like that, but damn, you got people ducking Deebo Dev, who’s not the biggest puncher,” Bradley stated. He further concluded: “I guess his boxing skills is what spooks everybody about Debo Dev.”
That assessment credits Haney’s defensive mastery, but it overlooks the financial realities of elite boxing negotiations. Purse bid figures show that monetary disagreements were the central cause of the stalemate with Davis. The challenger reportedly sought a guarantee close to $5 million to take the fight. When Top Rank won the official WBO purse bid with an $8.55 million offer, Davis was entitled to a 25 percent share. That calculation left Davis with approximately $2.14 million, less than half of his initial target.
A similar purse discrepancy likely stalled negotiations with Paro. Opponents challenging a marquee champion generally demand compensation that matches the public interest and risk involved. Refusing terms under those circumstances represents a business decision rather than fear of Haney’s jab, ring generalship, or defensive craft.
There remains a distinct difference between avoiding a fighter and declining a specific financial offer. Until purses match expectations, Haney’s title defenses will remain tied up in administrative delays.
