SPOTLIGHT ON KEYSHAWN DAVIS- The “Businessman” Back in Action As He Targets World Titles!
Olympic Silver Medalist Keyshawn Davis is back in the ring Saturday night on the undercard of George Kambosos Jr vs Maxi Hughes. Davis will be looking to build on his success in the Pro game so far as he looks to secure a World Title shot!
Keyshawn Davis was born on February 28, 1999 in Norfolk, Virginia. As an amateur, Davis left his mark on the international stage, winning silver medals at the 2019 Pan American Games, 2019 World Championships, and the highly anticipated 2020 Summer Olympics. These accomplishments solidified his status as one of the best prospects in American boxing, showcasing his exceptional skills and talent.
Davis made his professional debut against Lester Brown on February 27, 2021, in an emphatic fashion. In the second round, Davis displayed his power by dropping his opponent with a powerful left hook to the head. Although Brown managed to recover, Davis sealed the victory with a combination of heavy punches, prompting the referee to step in and end the bout.
Building on the momentum of his debut, Davis faced Richman Ashelley on April 3, 2021. Throughout the bout, Davis showcased his dominance, delivering a barrage of heavy punches that visibly hurt his opponent. As a result, Ashelley retired at the end of the fourth round, with his corner team determining that he was unable to continue.
In his third professional fight, Davis faced Jose Antonio Meza on May 8, 2021, on the undercard of the highly anticipated Canelo Álvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders bout. The fight went the distance, marking the first time Davis was taken to a decision as a professional. However, his performance was impressive, winning every round on each of the three scorecards and securing a wide unanimous decision victory.
Keyshawn Davis currently holds an undefeated record of 8 wins, with 6 of those victories coming by way of knockout. With a knockout ratio of 75%, his power and skill inside the ring are evident. At just 24 years old, Davis has already made significant strides in the lightweight division and is ranked 8th by the WBO, 12th by the IBF, 15th by the WBC, and 10th by the WBA.
To Davis, boxing is not just a personal journey but a chance to make a difference for his team, family, and fans. “I want to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way,” expressed Davis. “I fight not only for myself but also for the team that helped me get to where I am today and for the public that has supported me unwaveringly.”
Under the guidance of his trainer Brian McIntyre, who has trained boxing greats such as Terence “Bud” Crawford and Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring, Davis aspires to follow in the footsteps of Norfolk legend Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, a four-division champion who began his career as a lightweight. He also draws inspiration from Olympic medallists who turned professional under the Top Rank banner and went on to win world titles, such as Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Michael Carbajal, and Shakur Stevenson.
Upon signing with Top Rank, Davis expressed his honor to continue the legacy of the great fighters promoted by Bob Arum. He acknowledged that his time will come and that he is committed to trusting the process, developing his skills, and working towards becoming a world champion. With the Davis Brothers on the rise, they are determined to leave their mark in the sport and make their dreams a reality.
Davis continued to showcase his talent by passing the toughest test of his career on December 10, 2022. He soundly defeated three-time world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos (35-7-3, 21 KOs) via an eight-round unanimous decision. This notable bout took place at Madison Square Garden, on the card headlined by Lopez vs. Martin.
In his most recent fight on April 8, 2023, Davis faced Anthony Yigit in Newark, United States. Davis demonstrated his ability to finish fights, winning by technical knockout in the ninth round. This exciting bout was part of the undercard for the WBC World Lightweight championship fight, where Shakur Stevenson defeated Shuichiro Yoshino.
This Saturday night he faces another tough challenge in Belgian Francesco Patera who is coming off the back of 10 straight victories which include Lewis Ritson and Samuel Molina. Davis will be looking to send a message of his own and his old foe Andy Cruz’s impressive debut this past weekend. Cruz beat Davis 4 times in the amateurs including in the final of the 2020 Olympics and the two look destined to meet in the pro’s!
Keshawn Davis vs Francesco Patera is live Saturday night on ESPN in America and Sky Sports in the early hours of Sunday morning in the UK. Bought to you by Top Rank from the Firelake Arena in Oklahoma.
By Lee Browne
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