The Opening Bell | Vol. 2
Boxing's Latest Duck, Another Successful TNT Card, and Why the WBO Deserves It's Flowers
Boxing rarely leaves me speechless.
This week managed to do exactly that.
I don’t want to waste your time with a bunch of fluff, so let’s get straight to it.
COVER STORY
Survivor Island: Brothers Edition
Who’s getting voted off next?
After weeks of public deliberation over whether Devin Haney would fight one of the “two wack crew,” the WBO stepped in and ordered Devin to face his mandatory challenger, the No. 2-ranked contender, Keyshawn Davis.
Of course, in true boxing fashion, narratives immediately started flying.
The more I reflect on everything that happened, the more obvious it becomes: one side stayed in the media advocating for the fight while the other disappeared into its rat lair.
After several weeks, the two parties still hadn’t reached a deal, so a purse bid was scheduled to get the process moving.
Initially, the purse bid was set for July 27 with a 75/25 split in Devin’s favor. In the days leading up to the bid, an extension was requested and granted, pushing everything back three days to July 30.
One of the more interesting parts of this process was the WBO deciding to livestream the purse bid on YouTube.
(Don’t worry... we’ll get back to that later.)
Purse bid day arrives, and only two bidders are in the room: Takeover Promotions (Teofimo Lopez’s company) and Top Rank.
Top Rank wins the bid at $8.55 million, guaranteeing Keyshawn a purse of $2,137,500 while suggesting the fight could take place in Las Vegas, Brooklyn, or Atlanta.
Let’s stop here because I had questions too.
A few clarifying notes...
Why have a purse bid?
It’s a way of holding fighters and promoters accountable. If negotiations stall, the governing body steps in to establish financial terms so the remaining details—date, venue, promotion, etc.—can finally move forward.
Why didn’t DAZN or Devin Haney Promotions bid?
Because they didn’t need to.
DAZN is already responsible for Devin’s purse under his existing agreement. The only remaining financial piece to work out was Keyshawn’s side, which was rumored to be around $3 million.
Would Devin receive the rest of the $8.55 million?
No.
Top Rank would only be responsible for paying Keyshawn his 25% share.
Once the bid concluded, Keyshawn had 48 hours to either accept or decline the fight.
While many of you sat on pins and needles waiting for the decision, myself and The Queens of Boxing Talk were waiting in the cut for Keyshawn to duck.
To many industry insiders, it had been rumored that Keyshawn wasn’t willing to take the fight.
Turns out...
That’s exactly what happened.
Bill Haney broke the news on Twitter with three simple words:
“He ducked it.”
The firestorm that followed was completely deserved.
How did we go from a division once ruled by Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao...
...to this?
It’s disgusting.
It’s disgraceful.
And it’s disrespectful to the sport so many of us spend our time watching, covering, and supporting.
Keyshawn has a long history of questionable business decisions, and I have a feeling this won’t be the last one.
Yet somehow, people will continue making excuses for his weaselly business practices.
And Shakur...
If you thought I was going to leave you out of this...
THINK AGAIN.
When Shakur’s career is over, I’ll personally be leading the charge for a Lifetime docu-series called:
Surviving Shakur Stevenson: Brothers Betrayed
In true fashion, Shakur once again tried sending one of his “brothers” out to do his dirty work.
And honestly?
It cracks me up.
This is now twice that Shakur has sent one of his lil pawns on a dummy mission and the gun didn’t even go off.
First, Raymond Ford gets voted off Brother Island after losing to O’Shaquie Foster.
Now, because Devin wouldn’t cave to your ridiculous demands, you send Keyshawn to back him into a corner.
Tsk. Tsk.
Nephew...
When are you going to learn?
You aren’t the head honcho.
You aren’t the big homie you like to portray.
Within minutes of reports breaking that Keyshawn wouldn’t be taking the mandatory, Shakur went on a 48-hour social media bender, arguing with fans and media alike while giving every excuse imaginable about why neither he nor Keyshawn can fight anyone.
They’re too big.
They’re too small.
You won’t get the credit.
They haven’t beaten anybody.
They’re not in your division.
Reminds me of Goldilocks and her three bears.
So what’s the actual criteria needed to fight you, Shakur?
Tell the people.
We’ll never get an answer.
But while I’m here, let me offer one piece of advice:
Put in your own work.
You want to run with the big dogs, but every opportunity you get, you remind people you’re still the small fry.
WEEKEND NOTEBOOK
Charles Conwell
Charles Conwell returned to the ring and delivered some Bad News to Paul Kroll.
In his first fight since losing to Jorge Perez in April 2025, the Bad News bear stopped Kroll in the ninth round.
Conwell looked good.
Is he ready to shake up the 154-pound division?
Still to be determined.
Raymond Muratalla
Raymond Muratalla defended his IBF title against Robson Conceição, winning a lopsided unanimous decision that nearly turned into a shutout.
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Raymond is how composed he remains in the ring.
That said...
He’s going to have to find another gear.
After the fight, Raymond admitted he wasn’t satisfied with his own performance before announcing he’d be moving up to 140 pounds.
Following the fight, trainer Robert Garcia said they’re looking for Frank Martin.
Y’all tell me...
Do we want to see it?
Lamont Roach vs. William Zepeda
The main event saw Lamont Roach suffer just the second loss of his career as William Zepeda captured the victory.
Camarón came out firing on all cylinders, and it felt like Lamont never quite got his wheels moving.
Before the fight, I said I wasn’t sure who would win because of how their styles matched up.
I also said Lamont would need to fight smart, create angles, and keep Zepeda at bay because he was coming to throw 1,000 punches.
(I was only off by 126 punches btw)
I believed the winner would be whoever could consistently beat the other to the exchanges.
The judges unanimously agreed...
That man was Zepeda.
It’ll be interesting to see where the newly crowned campeón goes next.
INSIDE BOXING
WBO Livestream
I thoroughly enjoyed the WBO trying something different.
President Gustavo Olivieri took to Twitter to announce that the purse bid for Devin Haney vs. Keyshawn Davis would be streamed live on YouTube—the first time fans have ever been given that kind of access.
It gave fans, media, and fighters an inside look at how these proceedings actually work.
I really admire Mr. Olivieri’s push for transparency and originality at a time when fans constantly ask why the best aren’t fighting the best.
I’d love to see another major purse bid handled this way.
10/10. No notes.
FINAL BELL
No rumors this week...
But don’t worry.
I’ll be out here being nosey.
Holla at me!
- Lady J
Great article. I didn’t realize that Top Rank wouldn’t play Dev the $8M. That makes sense tho since technically he’s already getting money from DAZN.
Hmm… so could they have bid more to get Keyshawn where he wanted to be? That makes things more interesting lol.