Davis withdraws from Haney bout despite Top Rank purse bid

The former had been expected to face the latter after he was installed as mandatory challenger for the 147-pound world-level strap.

Promoters Top Rank had won a contested purse bid on Thursday for the fight, with Davis expected to pocket a career-high payday.

But now, the star has opted to bypass Haney instead, with the former WBO lightweight champion scotching an intriguing contest.

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Davis famously missed weight for his first planned defence last year, and subsequently switched to super-lightweight in January.

There, he scored wins over Jamaine Ortiz and Nahir Albright to underline his credentials, before switching tracks to welterweight.

His shot at Haney would have offered him an immediate path to two-weight champion status if he were to prevail versus the star.

Instead, the three-weight champion will now seek other options for his next defence, with a multitude of contenders on the docket.

Ex-champion Brian Norman Jr., who Haney dethroned, is currently the next-ranked WBO contender available for the star to face.

Teofimo Lopez will meanwhile face Rolly Romero later this month, while Manny Pacquiao and Arnold Barboza Jr. are options too.

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