Boxing Sanctioning Just Reshaped a Welterweight Path
Fear rarely destroys boxing match-making. It always breaks down because of its system. The WBO's decision to deny a proposed matchup between Keyshawn Davis and Devin Haney has nothing to do with the lack of willingness. The decision was made based on rankings, eligibility, and timing. This technical ruling could have possibly changed the trajectory of both fighters' careers simultaneously. Davis was rapidly rising and establishing himself at the time; thus, he would likely make a jump rather than sustain a gradual rise. However, the overall impact of this, not just for ‘The Businessman’, needs to be considered alongside how sanctioning bodies can change a fighter's career trajectory.
Being unable to and not moving ahead to take on Haney doesn't change Davis's ability and career path in the long term, but it does require him to recalibrate. Rather than immediately stepping into a major fight with Haney, ‘The Businessman’ must continue building his ranking according to the criteria set by the recognized sanctioning bodies. That gap adversely affects his leverage. Also, what makes leverage so significant in boxing is that it usually provides more opportunity than the fighter's raw skill. The ruling by the sanctioning bodies has different consequences for Haney. Champions and ex-champions usually do not have to take high-risk, low-reward fights unless it's for a title. When sanctioning bodies become involved in a fighter's fights, they remove the optional risk and force the fighter to meet mandatory responsibilities or provide a clearer path through the weights. This protects a fighter's position in the short term, but over time, could limit a fighter's ability to create their own story and/or build organic rivalries.
A structural reality exists within the Welterweight and Super Lightweight Divisions, as illustrated in this example. Ranking systems are designed to bring order, but they often delay fast-paced matches by imposing additional procedural barriers between fighters. Consequently, fighters can generate considerable anticipation through their performance and momentum, only to have their progress stalled by technical eligibility issues rather than competitive shortcomings. This relationship between governance and spectacle will continue to shape boxing, whether or not there is viewership attendance.
In such cases, momentum is the variable most affected by decisions and rulings. If Davis maintains his winning streak, a previously rejected fight could gain value as scarcity increases demand. However, momentum is fragile; changes within the division or shifts in media attention could eliminate the opportunity for that match. Boxing history illustrates that anticipated fights can lose their significance over time, regardless of the outcomes. Davis hasn't lost his chance to face his opponent; it has simply been delayed for formal reasons.
