Devin Haney's Welterweight Title Search Sparks Ranking Shakeup as Richardson Hitchins Rises

Champion Devin Haney found himself without an opponent after Keyshawn Davis declined the ordered WBO title fight, prompting the purse‑bid to award Haney a 75 % share of the winning offer. With Shakur Stevenson again pushing for a 144‑lb catch‑weight and Bill Haney rejecting that proposal, former IBF light‑welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins publicly offered to fight Haney at 147 lb.

The WBO responded by revising its welterweight rankings: Hitchins leapt to No. 3 after a unanimous‑decision win over Ricardo Salas, while Davis fell from No. 1 to No. 7 following his withdrawal. Brian Norman Jr. and Teofimo Lopez now occupy the top two contender spots. The changes highlight the uncertainty surrounding Haney’s next challenger and the impact of the recent purse‑bid on the division’s hierarchy.