WBO likely to order Devin Haney-Keyshawn Davis for August super fight
Jun 2, 2026 • 7:32 PM ET
Cris Esqueda / Matchroom BoxingKeyshawn Davis has been elevated to WBO No. 1 welterweight contender, and will likely be ordered as three-division champion Devin Haney’s mandatory challenger this summer, BoxingScene has learned.
Davis, the former WBO lightweight champion, only fought once at 140lbs, but struggled to make the junior welterweight limit, needing two attempts to make weight before his victory over Nahir Albright.
Davis previously lost his 135lb title on the scales, coming in 4.3 pounds over the lightweight limit for his contest against Edwin De Los Santos that was subsequently scrapped. Bypassing an IBF 140lbs title shot at Mexico’s Lindolfo Delgado, he will now move to a more comfortable weight of 147lbs, where the WBO have rewarded him for his recent run of form.
The WBO ranked Davis at No.1 following Jack Catterall’s decision to pursue a WBA “regular” title against Shakhram Giyasov last month. The WBO chose to give Davis the top spot over the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Teofimo Lopez, Brian Norman Jnr and Arnold Barboza Jnr, all who have come off losses or a draw over the past 13 months.
Davis’ wins over Jamaine Ortiz and Albright in 2026 launched the 2021 U.S. Olympic silver medalist to No.1.
BoxingScene has learned that the WBO welterweight champion Haney will soon be ordered to face his mandatory challenger. That mandatory is due in August, and could very likely be Davis following today’s recent ranking.
With no agreement currently struck between Haney and Zuffa Boxing, the new promotional outfit’s views on the traditional four belts should not stand in the way of the contest.
Lance Pugmire has been a full-time boxing writer for nearly 20 years, serving now as BoxingScene’s U.S. Senior Writer and assistant producer for ProBoxTV’s “BoxingScene Today.” Pugmire capped a near 20-year career at the Los Angeles Times (sports investigations, NHL/MLB beat work, law enforcement/courts and boxing/UFC) to join The Athletic, and then USA Today. Pugmire’s stint at The Times started with the first Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez fight and the Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather Jnr then-record pay-per-view, leading through a slew of ringside assignments at major bouts, including Mayweather-Pacquiao, Mayweather-Canelo and the Canelo-Golovkin trilogy. Lance’s appreciation for boxing is rooted in his admiration and appreciation for the fighters, gladiators who have proven to be the most forthcoming and candid of all the athletes he has interviewed over a career dating to 1990. Lance was honored to be named the 2022 winner of the Boxing Writers Association of America Nat Fleischer Award for career excellence and he’s collected many BWAA writing awards in categories ranging from breaking news to deep-dive long features.
