Keyshawn Davis Insists He’s Ready For World Title Fights, Targets Lopez And Berinchyk
Lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis has set himself a target of headlining his own show by the end of the year and has set his sights on world title bouts with Teofimo Lopez and Denys Berinchyk.
Davis (10-0-0 7 KO) returns to the ring on July 6 to face Miguel Madueno on the undercard of Shakur Stevenson’s WBC lightweight world title defense against Artem Harutyunyan in Newark, New Jersey.
Madueno represents another step up in challenge for Davis, who knocked out former two-weight world champion Jose Pedraza in his last fight in February. Whereas the 35-year-old Pedraza was clearly past his prime, the 25-year-old Madueno is a younger, stronger opponent, with 28 of his 31 wins (against two losses) coming inside the distance.
However, Davis has bigger aims for 2024 and despite only being 10 fights into his professional career, the American believes he is ready for the biggest names, either at lightweight or super-lightweight.
Davis Wants Shot At Lopez
“A fight between Teofimo and I would sell on pay-per-view,” Davis told BoxingScene. “I’m willing to fight on his terms. It’s whether or not he wants to make the fight happen. My name is definitely bigger than [his June 29 opponent] Steve Claggett.”
A fight with Lopez would certainly generate plenty of attention. Tension has been building between the pair ever since Davis fought on the undercard of Lopez’s unconvincing WBO super-lightweight title defense against Jamaine Ortiz four months ago.
Whether it’s against Lopez or another fighter, Davis is convinced he has the skill and star power to headline a major bout.
“I’m a main event fighter now. I would love to headline my own event by the end of the year,” said Davis. “This generation has a lot of talent, and everybody is beatable. We don’t know who’s the best yet. Everyone is losing, and the playing field is starting to get even. And I am ready to put myself in the mix. I know I am just as good as those guys – and better.
“Raymond Muratalla is calling me out, but I would rather prove myself with my back against the wall. It’s whether or not these top guys are going to fight me or not.”
‘I Am Ready To Fight Anybody’
A more realistic option would be for Davis, an Olympic silver medalist, to take on WBO lightweight world champion Berinchyk, who shocked Emanuel Navarrete by split decision to win the vacant title last month.
While Davis is only 10 fights into his pro career, he has shot up the rankings and is ranked third by the WBO, WBC, and IBF, so he has genuine claims to earn a crack at Berinchyk’s belt.
“I would love to fight and beat Berinchyk and take his belt away from him,” said Davis. “I hope he is willing to fight me. I feel nobody can beat me. I am one of the best at 135 pounds. Pedraza made me show the world that I am one of the best. I am ready to fight anybody. It’s just a matter of when I can get a belt or a bigger name in the ring.”
The Virginia native may have big ambitions for himself, but he insists he is not looking beyond Madueno, who has the power to derail Davis’ lofty goals.
“He has power and likes to throw a lot of punches, but I’ll be fighting differently and smarter,” Davis said. “He’s tough and is coming to fight. He’s going to bring the fight to me. It’s going to be a crowd-pleasing fight that ends in my favor. I never have a problem with confidence. The Pedraza fight taught me a whole lot about myself. I got a lot better off of that fight. I feel bad for Miguel.”
