Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Keyshawn Davis has been an obvious threat to the lightweight world champions since turning professional back in 2021. However, the Norfolk-born sensation may well have just moved into a position to challenge for the throne after he scored an authoritative knockout over Gustavo Lemos.
Davis famously picked up a trifecta of silver medals as an amateur at the 2019 Pan American Games, 2019 World Championships and at the Olympics the following year – losing in the final of all three tournaments to Cuba’s Andy Cruz, who he seems destined to meet as a professional in the coming years.
Over the last couple of years in the professional ranks , Davis has increased the level of his opposition and proven that he is capable of achieving success in the lightweight division, knocking out former world title challenger Anthony Yigit and two-division world champion Jose Pedraza.
However, this weekend appeared to be Davis’ toughest test on paper, as ‘The Businessman’ geared up to take on Argentina’s Gustavo Lemos (29-1), who’s lone career defeat came in a controversial defeat to well-respected super-lightweight Richardson Hitchins.
Ranked at #6 with the IBF, Lemos was expected to give Davis a serious run for his money in what was a homecoming bout for the latter at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, although things took a dramatic turn during fight week.
Lemos astonishingly missed weight by over six pounds on Wednesday but with Davis lobbying for a world title shot, the 25-year-old prospect decided to proceed with the bout against ‘El Electrico’, in spite of the away fighter’s weight advantages.
Come fight night, Lemos was made to pay for his ill preparation, as Davis floored the Buenos Aires-based contender with a left-hook in the second-round that left him on wobbly legs.
THAT’S HOW YOU FINISH THE HOMECOMING!@KeyshawnDavis8 gets a brutal KO in Round 2. pic.twitter.com/8XtvJAgtlV
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) November 9, 2024
After stumbling into the corner like a drunken man on a high street, Lemos got back to his feet, but could only do so for five more seconds of action as Davis sent him crashing into the canvas once again, this time with an eye-catching three-punch combination that brought the contest to a close.
Positioned amongst the top three contenders with all but one sanctioning body before the career-best win, Davis seems well-poised to get an opportunity to challenge for world honours upon his next outing and deservedly so after a coming of age display that has put the 135lb division on notice.
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