The former WBO lightweight champion was still under contract with the promotional company.

However, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum told reporters during Emanuel Navarrete-O'Shaquie Foster fight week the Olympic silver medalist was allowed to walk away before the deal expired.

"He had another fight with us," Arum told Joe Profit on the O.S.O.S Podcast. "He had a contract with us but was very unhappy, so he asked for a release. Rather than have a long litigation and arguments with him, we decided to give him the release."

Several recent decisions will have played a factor. The 27-year-old Norfolk puncher walked away from an immediate shot at WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney. Top Rank's $8.55m offer saw them win the purse bid, leaving the prospective challenger entitled to $2.1m of the purse in accordance with sanctioning body rules.

Davis seemingly had a backup plan, targeting his divisional debut against former IBF 140-pound titleholder Richardson Hitchins. The Zuffa Boxing recruit took to social media, stating their fight fell through as Davis asked for at least $6m to make it happen.

Davis (15-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC) memorably lost his WBO crown on the scales, missing weight by 4.3 pounds for a June 2025 homecoming defense against Edwin de Los Santos in Norfolk, Virginia. Their bout was eventually canceled, the card went on as planned before a physical altercation backstage between Team Davis and Nahir Albright.

Davis reeled off two victories in four months, scoring a 12th-round stoppage of Jamaine Ortiz on January 31 before outboxing Albright May 16 during a rematch he openly didn't want. After outlining his desire to move up in weight once more, he will now consider his promotional options elsewhere following another frustrating spell.