When Keyshawn Davis was named Prospect of the Year by both ESPN and The Ring Magazine in 2022, he joined an elite group of fighters who went on to win multiple world titles. With comparisons to boxing greats like Canelo Alvarez and Teofimo Lopez Jr., Davis has quickly become one of the most exciting talents in the stacked lightweight division.
At just 24 years old and with only nine fights under his belt, Davis still has a long way to go to match the accomplishments of his predecessors. However, as he prepares for his biggest test yet against Jose Pedraza on February 8 in Las Vegas, the expectations for "The Businessman" are sky-high.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who has represented legends like Muhammad Ali and Manny Pacquiao, signed Davis from the amateur ranks and has high hopes for the young American.
"Keyshawn Davis, one of the greatest amateur fighters the U.S. produced, has had a great pro career so far," Arum said ahead of Davis' fight with Pedraza.
Davis's amateur credentials are impressive, with notable performances on the international stage. However, he fell short of gold at the 2019 World Championships, Pan American Games, and 2022 Olympics, losing to the Cuban phenom Andy Cruz each time.
It's not just Arum who has been praising Davis. Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. has called him a "helluva fighter" and has been supportive of him behind closed doors. Hall of Famer Timothy Bradley has also been impressed, describing Davis as a "serial killer" in the ring.
Davis's success in the amateur ranks has translated well into the professional game. He possesses lightning-quick hands, laser-like accuracy, and excellent technical skills. Known for his ferocious training and commitment to improvement, Davis has learned from mentors like Terence Crawford and Shakur Stevenson.
While comparisons have been made to a young Mayweather, Davis attributes his style to Stevenson, whom he considers one of the best defensive fighters in the game. He has also learned from his hometown hero Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker.
With an unbeaten record of six stoppages in nine fights, Davis has had a promising start to his professional career. He captured the WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title in his seventh fight against Juan Carlos Burgos, a former world title challenger.
Although there have been some bumps along the way, such as a positive marijuana test and a subsequent no contest, Davis is determined to silence his doubters. His upcoming fight against Pedraza is the perfect opportunity to make a statement.
Davis's ultimate goal is to win world titles and secure the financial rewards that come with them. With the lightweight division being highly competitive, Davis knows he has to prove himself against the best.
Ranked seventh by the IBF, eighth by the WBO, and ninth by the WBC, Davis has his sights set on the winner of the upcoming Lomachenko vs. Kambosos fight. While that fight may come too soon in his journey, Davis believes that with continued success, he will soon be in the title conversation.
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