Keyshawn Davis’s Ambitions for 2025
Keyshawn Davis, the young and ambitious WBO lightweight champion, is gearing up for an action-packed 2025. He has expressed his desire to fight three more times this year, a goal driven by his frustration with the quick knockouts that have characterized his recent bouts. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Davis emphasized his interest in a high-profile match against former WBA light welterweight champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, highlighting the potential financial windfall and the excitement such a fight would generate in Las Vegas. Davis believes that the combination of Cruz’s Mexican following and his own growing prominence could make this a lucrative and compelling event. However, the reality of boxing often involves more than just good intentions and bold statements.
The Reality of Fighting Up in Weight
Despite Davis’s enthusiasm, he must come to terms with the practical challenges of his proposed match-up. The Cruz fight, much like a potential bout with Gervonta Davis, seems highly unlikely due to the significant size difference. At 5’9", Davis is considerably taller than the 5’4" Cruz, and this physical mismatch is a crucial factor in the matchmaking process. Promoters and managers often shy away from such mismatches, as they can lead to anticlimactic and one-sided fights. This situation is reminiscent of the career of Paul Williams, a 6’1" fighter who struggled to find suitable opponents due to his towering size. Williams eventually had to move up in weight to continue his career, but Davis appears more cautious. He identifies himself as "The Businessman," a label that underscores his focus on securing easy money fights rather than taking risks. This approach might ensure financial stability, but it could also limit his opportunities to prove himself against tougher competition.
The Backdoor Method to Stardom
Top Rank, Davis’s promotional team, has a vested interest in protecting their investment and nurturing him into a boxing star. However, their strategy has been to match him against less formidable opponents who are smaller in size and lower in talent. This calculated approach is designed to minimize the risk of losing and to gradually build Davis’s reputation. While it has helped him secure the WBO lightweight title, it has also left him with a string of quick knockouts and frustration over not getting more rounds to showcase his skills. If Davis were willing to fight harder opponents, he would undoubtedly face more rounded challenges. Potential matchups with fighters like Andy Cruz, Ernesto Mercado, Vergil Ortiz Jr., Israil Madrimov, Raymond Muratalla, Jaron Ennis, and Janibek Alimkhanuly could provide the type of competition that would test his mettle and potentially elevate his status in the sport.
Why the Easy Money Approach?
Davis’s reluctance to take on these tougher opponents can be attributed to his "businessman" mentality. He is more focused on securing financially advantageous fights rather than risking his record and potential earnings by facing more skilled and dangerous boxers. This mindset is akin to an oil well that is intentionally kept at a low yield to ensure a longer, more stable production life. For Top Rank, this means Davis’s career is less likely to suffer a sudden and damaging setback. However, this strategy also means that his fans and the broader boxing community might see him as avoiding competition. The promoter’s cautious approach is understandable, as they are trying to build Davis into a marketable star, but it also raises questions about the legitimacy and excitement of his future fights.
The Challenge of Headlining Fights
Achieving Davis’s goal of three more fights in 2025 is not straightforward. Finding dates for him to headline cards will be a significant challenge, especially in the competitive boxing landscape. Even if he were willing to fight on undercards, the financial incentives would be minimal. Promoters need to ensure that fights are financially viable, and headlining events require a level of name recognition and audience draw that Davis has yet to fully achieve. His insistence on headlining might make it difficult to schedule the type of fights he desires, particularly if he continues to target smaller, less well-known opponents. The promoters for Isaac Cruz are likely to be hesitant about putting their champion in a fight where he is at a clear physical disadvantage.
The Path Forward
Davis’s victory over Denys Berinchyk in February 2025, in which he secured a fourth-round knockout, was another example of the size advantage he has over many of his opponents. Berinchyk, at 36 years old and considerably smaller, was unable to match Davis’s physical prowess, even after rehydration. While this win solidified Davis’s title, it also highlighted the limitations of his current matchmaking strategy. If Davis truly believes in his skills and wants to become a respected and feared champion, he will need to take on more challenging opponents. The fight against Isaac Cruz, while appealing in terms of potential revenue and excitement, might not be the best step for his career. Instead, he could consider stepping up to 154 or 160 pounds, where his size would be more proportionate to his opponents, and where he might find the type of competition that could truly test his abilities and earn him the respect of the boxing world.
