Eddie Hearn, a prominent figure in boxing promotion, has made headlines with his desire to offer Gervonta “Tank” Davis more than $20 million for a fight against Devin Haney. This revelation comes in the wake of Bill Haney’s claim that Davis had previously turned down a $20 million offer for the same fight. However, Davis has refuted these claims, insisting that any legitimate offers should be communicated through his manager, Al Haymon.
The offer from Hearn, which exceeds the alleged initial $20 million, raises questions about the nature of these negotiations. Davis has expressed his willingness to consider significant offers but has been adamant about the proper channels for such discussions. Moreover, there are considerations beyond the purse, such as the imposition of a strict rehydration clause and catchweight, given Haney’s substantial weight gain on fight nights.
Bill Haney’s claim about the original $20 million offer has been met with skepticism, particularly since Davis denied any direct communication with Bill and stated that his manager was not involved in these discussions. The legitimacy of these offers is being questioned, especially in light of Haney’s recent performance in pay-per-view sales, which indicates a lack of demand from fans.
Eddie Hearn has acknowledged the complex dynamics at play, including the high demands from various fighters and the challenges in making these high-profile fights a reality. He emphasized the potential for Haney to engage in other significant bouts, mentioning names like Ryan Garcia, Teofimo Lopez, and Gervonta Davis as possible opponents. However, the hurdles in arranging these fights, particularly regarding weight and financial demands, make them challenging to finalize.
Despite Hearn’s eagerness to make a substantial offer to Davis, the path to a Haney-Davis fight seems fraught with obstacles. Haney’s marketability and the reluctance of fighters to face him due to his fighting style and weight issues add complexity to the situation.
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