Haney reposted a message from WBO president Gustavo Olivieri, which included a screenshot of an email stating Davis stays rated only at junior welterweight. The organization confirmed Davis cannot fight for the 147-pound title unless he submits a proper request to enter the welterweight rankings. The WBO stated no such request has been filed, leaving Davis outside the title path for now.
The clarification comes after Davis began targeting Haney following his January 31 win over Jamaine Ortiz, which marked his debut at 140 kilos. Davis has spoken openly about pursuing larger fights and difficult champions as he moves toward welterweight.
His recent public comments also placed distance between himself and the sanctioning system that controls title eligibility. Speaking on the “Come and Talk 2 Me” podcast, Davis questioned the worth of sanctioning fees and the role of championship belts in his profession.
“I’m not paying sanctioning fees no more, I don’t feel prefer it’s value it,” Davis said on the It Is What It Is podcast. “I’m a superstar. Superstars don’t need belts. Belts need superstars.”
He continued by expanding on that position.
“When you develop into that superstar, what you paying for a belt for? Why you throwing your money down the drain for? It’s like buying a series. It looks good, but so what? Not attempting to sh*t on WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO…but belts don’t matter to a certain extent.”
Under WBO rules, fighters should be formally rated in a division before they might be approved as title challengers. Several established contenders already occupy positions at welterweight, and without an official rating, Davis can’t be considered for a title opportunity no matter public callouts or interest within the matchup.
Davis has shown ambition to maneuver quickly toward major fights, however the WBO’s confirmation makes clear that the executive process still determines who can challenge for its title. Until Davis enters the welterweight rankings through the required request, a fight with Haney cannot move forward.
