‘They came at me wrong’ – Gervonta Davis explains why he rejected Devin Haney fight offer from Turki Alalshikh
Boxing fans have been clambering to see Gervonta Davis vs Devin Haney for several years.
The American boxing stars were both competing at lightweight when Haney unified the division yet a fight never came to fruition.
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Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh came closest to getting the bout over the line last year when he made a lucrative offer to stage the long-awaited clash in the Middle East.
However, Davis rejected the approach over fears he wouldn't get a fair shake.
Asked during a recent appearance episode of the with Lil Yachty, whether he is simply 'not interested' in fighting over in Saudi, Davis replied: "It's not that.
"But they came at me wrong the first time they ever came at me.
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"And then he [Alalshikh] was saying that Devin was his guy.
"So I was like 'If Devin is your guy then you have got to pay me extra now'.
"Because I already know [what will happen] when I'm coming over there, you feel me.
"I got to get the knockout. If not you're going to give it to him.
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"I see what is going on so now give me two or three Ferraris.
"If not there isn't any point in me going over there for it."
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Now that Canelo Alvarez has signed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season, Davis is the only major player in boxing who isn't working with the Saudis.
Alalshikh has kept the door open for Davis but isn't willing to pander to his needs.
During an appearance on the MMA Hour earlier this year, Alalshikh said: “I heard in the media Davis said, send to me two Ferraris to play in Saudi Arabia.
“I said to him we will send you two gloves if you want to play in Saudi Arabia, that’s it.”
For now, it seems Davis vs Haney is off the table with the Saudis seemingly more focused on making the Ryan Garcia rematch for the former undisputed lightweight champion.
Haney and Garcia fight on the same bill in May in separate bouts.
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Garcia is set to box former WBA super lightweight champion Rolly Romero, and Haney is due to collide with former unified super lightweight title holder Jose Ramirez.
Provided they come through their respective fights unscathed then the rematch will be booked for later this year.
Davis, meanwhile, returns to action on March 1 against Lamont Roach in Brooklyn.
After which, Alalshikh would like to make Davis vs Shakur Stevenson.
Only time will tell whether they can broker a deal.
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