Davis pounded the table for a fight against WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney, and he got what he wished for when the sanctioning body ordered an encounter between two of the sport's most talented fighters. After weeks of negotiations, the fight was pushed to a purse bid Thursday.

Top Rank, which promotes Davis, secured the right to stage the fight with a winning bid of $8.55 million. That meant Haney would have received 75% of the purse at $6.41 million, while Davis would have earned $2.14 million for a fight that would have taken place October 3 in either Brooklyn, Atlanta or Las Vegas.

On Friday, "The Businessman" Davis declined the shot at a legacy-defining dance with Haney.

The Ring's Mike Coppinger reported that Davis originally declined a $3 million purse to face Haney, which forced proceedings to a purse bid, and that he was looking for a $5 million net purse (after management fees) to fight Haney. Davis' previous career-high purse was $1 million.

Davis' refusal to roll the dice and take a chance on himself left the boxing public, including a potential future opponent in WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia, puzzled.

"Keyshawn should’ve taken the fight with Devin – disappointed," Garcia wrote on social media. "Davis had a big opportunity and denied it for money. Don’t be scared to fight Haney. At worst, you lose a 12-round decision. He doesn't hit hard."

Davis (15-0, 10 KOs), a 27-year-old from Norfolk, Virginia, earned the right to fight Haney as a WBO mandatory despite never competing at 147 pounds. Davis, a former 135-pound titleholder, has fought at 140 twice.

The United States Olympic silver medalist won a decision against Nahir Albright last time out in May and stopped Jamaine Ortiz in January, both at junior welterweight.

Haney (33-0, 15 KOs), a 27-year-old from Las Vegas, last fought in November to knock down and unanimously decision Brian Norman for the title in his welterweight debut. The victory made Haney, The Ring's No. 1 welterweight and No. 8 on the pound-for-pound list, a three-division champion.

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan