“I was disappointed in that. I mean, I think that it’s a clear chance to have one of those wins that set you up for big, huge paydays. The $2 million or something, whatever he got offered, was already more than he’s ever made before. So what exactly are you looking for?” said Ryan to Fighthype.

“Everybody has to go through certain fights, key moments to get them to the top. But I think that he wants to go a different route. I think that he possibly started realizing he might have bit something off more than he could chew for that price range. It just shows you that a lot of people are big talkers. They don’t really want to do it when it comes down to it.”

Ryan isn’t alone in criticizing Keyshawn’s withdrawal. Passing on a title fight against Haney for the biggest purse of his career has drawn criticism from fighters and analysts who believe the opportunity was too valuable to refuse.

Walking away from a world title shot creates the expectation that Davis and his team have a more lucrative alternative already in place. If another opportunity of similar value doesn’t surface, Garcia’s suggestion that Keyshawn got cold feet is likely to remain part of the conversation surrounding his decision.