Keyshawn Davis: A Rising Star with High Stakes
Keyshawn Davis, the 25-year-old WBO lightweight champion, has quickly risen through the ranks to establish himself as a formidable force in the boxing world. His recent victory over Denys Berinchyk, which he secured with a fourth-round knockout, has only solidified his reputation. However, Davis’s ascent has not been without controversy. Following his win, he appeared significantly larger than his opponent, raising questions about his ability to consistently make weight at the lightweight division. Despite this, Davis remains focused on his career and has set his sights on some of the biggest names in the sport. Promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed a keen interest in pitting Davis against Andy Cruz, and Shakur Stevenson against Gervonta Davis, with the winners facing off to determine the top lightweight fighter. Davis, however, has other plans.
Keyshawn’s Financial Demands
In an interview with Shawn Porter’s YouTube channel, Davis made it abundantly clear that he is not interested in fighting Andy Cruz for a paltry sum. "I’m not fighting him for pennies," Davis emphasized, suggesting that he expects a substantial financial reward for such a high-profile bout. His promoters at Top Rank have been gradually building his career, but the majority of his fights have been against lesser-known opponents. This strategy has allowed Davis to maintain an impressive 13-0 record with 9 knockouts, but it has also shielded him from tougher competition. Davis’s financial demands highlight the business side of boxing, where选手 often push for lucrative matches to ensure their long-term career sustainability.
The Promotional Challenge
Andy Cruz, the WBC lightweight champion, presents a unique challenge for boxing promoters. Cruz, a 25-year-old fighter from Puerto Rico, is relatively unknown in the American market, partly due to his lack of proficiency in English and his absence from major American networks. Despite holding an undefeated record of 5-0 with 2 KOs, Cruz has not been given the same promotional push as fighters like Shakur Stevenson, who enjoys greater visibility. This disparity in promotional efforts makes it difficult for Cruz to command the big money that Davis is demanding. Eddie Hearn’s plan to arrange a fight between Davis and Cruz, followed by a potential superfight with the winners of that bout and the Stevenson-Gervonta Davis match, seems unlikely to materialize due to these financial and promotional hurdles.
A History of Rivalry
The animosity between Keyshawn Davis and Andy Cruz is rooted in their amateur days. Cruz has a perfect 4-0 record against Davis in amateur bouts, which adds a layer of personal rivalry to any potential professional matchup. Davis’s comments about Cruz’s amateur victories reveal a sense of frustration and perhaps a hint of insecurity. "He’s not getting money for that s***," Davis remarked, dismissively, when told that Cruz is Shakur Stevenson’s number one contender. This attitude suggests that Davis is looking for a reason to avoid the fight, which could be detrimental to his reputation if fans perceive him as ducking a legitimate challenge.
The Path Forward
Shawn Porter echoed Davis’s concerns about the financial viability of the Cruz fight. "If it makes pennies [paying the same money as his past 13 opponents], it don’t make sense," Porter said. He also suggested that Cruz might have to move up to the 140-pound division if a lucrative fight cannot be arranged at 135 pounds. Davis agreed, stating, "If we can make a lot of money at 140 instead of 135, he’s got to come up to 140." This shift in focus to a higher weight class could open up new opportunities for Davis, potentially including a fight against more well-known and financially viable opponents.
The Upcoming Matchup
Despite the challenges, Davis is confident about his next steps. He hinted at his next opponent, revealing a smile that suggested he might be facing Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, a known lightweight contender. The potential size mismatch in this fight has already sparked interest and debate among boxing enthusiasts. Davis’s promoters at Top Rank are keen to keep him active and relevant, and a high-profile fight with Isaac Cruz could serve to bolster his standing in the sport. As Davis continues to navigate the complex world of professional boxing, his choices and the reasoning behind them will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
