Keyshawn Davis pushed back against suggestions he priced himself out of a potential showdown with Richardson Hitchins, though his response largely sidestepped the core financial disagreement. Davis maintained he signed a contract for a bout back in August and stands by his intention to face Hitchins next, yet he did not address the reported $6 million purse figure that Hitchins cited as the deal-breaker.
Hitchins broke the deadlock on October 23, announcing via social media that the fight was off and laying out the financial gap between them:
“Keyshawn Out Priced himself to fight me Like i said i been agreed to the fight going on 2 months i was wondering what was the hold up but He was asking for 6ms to fight me And mind you boy never even made more than a M in boxing #FIGHTOFF son a clown.”
In response, Davis emphasized personal resolve and his Olympic background in a social media rebuttal designed to counter any suggestion he would back down from a challenge. His messaging deflects criticism but offers no clarity on why both fighters remain deadlocked despite mutual interest in the contest.
“Back in August, before he even started doing the interviews, I DM’d him saying, ‘The ink is dry. Did you sign your contract?’ He said, ‘Business will get handled soon.’ … Now he’s saying I overpriced myself. So he never got back with me that he signed,” Davis stated.
That exchange gives Davis his strongest argument: if his account is accurate, he believed the deal was in place well before the public dispute began, creating a timeline that complicates Hitchins’ version of events. However, the actual terms of the agreement remain unclear. Davis has not disclosed the financial details or guarantees included in the contract he signed, nor has there been confirmation that Hitchins executed matching paperwork.
Regardless of what was signed, the missing piece is transparency around the purse split. Davis avoided commenting on the alleged $6 million demand and offered no counteroffer details. Meanwhile, Hitchins highlighted that Davis has never earned six figures in a professional boxing purse—the maximum he has reportedly made is around $1 million. Both fighters appear eager for the matchup, but neither has demonstrated the commercial leverage to justify a high-stakes payout.
Davis has every right to pursue fair compensation for his skills. However, addressing the numbers directly—his stated ask, any promoter counteroffer, and the status of negotiations—would provide a clearer picture than reiterating his willingness to box.
The shadow of a potential Devin Haney fight also factors into the situation. Davis referenced Haney multiple times, dismissing notions that fear drives his actions while declining to elaborate on the negotiation details. Another failed negotiation may invite further scrutiny, and repeated assertions of courage cannot substitute for resolution.
“I want my next fight to be you. I don’t want nobody else,” Davis told Hitchins directly.
He encouraged fans to pressure his rival into accepting the bout, placing responsibility on public opinion rather than securing agreement through transparent dialogue. While this strategy resonates with audiences, it presumes spectators can determine fault without reviewing the actual contractual terms.
Davis has given the boxing community a starting point: an August contract signing. Whether the terms behind that signature support his position on purse demands remains unproven. Until he clarifies the financials, his response remains more defiant than definitive.
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