Keyshawn Davis celebrates a sixth-round knockout of former two-division titlist Jose Pedraza on Feb. 8 in Las Vegas. Picture credit score: Mikey Williams, High Rank.
Keyshawn Davis will head dwelling for his first headlining act.
The Ring has confirmed that tough plans are in place for Davis to high a Nov. 8 present on an ESPN platform. The occasion will happen at Scope Area in Davis’ hometown of Norfolk, Virginia.
Davis acknowledged on X that Gustavo Lemos is the possible opponent, confirming a report from ESPN.com’s Mike Coppinger.
“Homecoming or not, I give the followers nice fights,” Davis posted. “I stand on that!”
Homecoming or NOT, I give the followers nice fights I Stand On That! #davisVSlemos
— Keyshawn Davis (@KeyshawnDavis8) August 23, 2024
The light-weight combat will mark the third ring look on the yr for Davis (11-0, 7 knockouts), a 2020 Olympic Silver medalist. It additionally represents his first professional combat in Virginia, the place he was born and raised.
High Rank hopes to start out a brand new custom to Davis, akin to what the late, Corridor of Fame nice Pernell Whitaker was capable of deliver to town.
Whitaker performed the Scope Area ten instances, together with a revenge-fueled Aug. 1989 win over Jose Luis Ramirez to avenge his controversial first profession defeat. His closing combat there was a repeat win over James ‘Buddy’ McGirt to defend his lineal and WBC welterweight championship in Oct. 1994.
Corridor of Fame former Ring/lineal heavyweight champion Larry Holmes had the ultimate combat of his legendary profession at Scope Area. It got here in a July 2002 resolution win over Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch.
Davis was dominant in a ten-round, unanimous resolution over Miguel Madueno (31-3, 28 KOs) on July 6 in Newark, New Jersey. The Ring’s No. 7-rated light-weight served in supporting capability to longtime buddy and three-division titlist Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs).
5 months prior, he battered pale former two-division titlist Jose Pedraza (29-6-1, 14 KOs). That bout passed off on High Rank’s pre-Tremendous Bowl card in Las Vegas.
‘The Businessman’ now instructions the highest spot as he makes his run in direction of a light-weight title.
He’ll endure his hardest take a look at so far, no less than on paper.
Argentina’s Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) was unfortunate to have suffered his lone defeat in his most up-to-date combat.
The 28-year-old from Argentina supplied matches for Brooklyn’s Richardson Hitchins, who claimed an unpopular resolution of their April 6 DAZN predominant occasion in Las Vegas. Most viewers and people in attendance felt Lemos deserved the nod of their IBF 140-pound title eliminator.
Lemos will combat stateside for the second straight time. His proposed bout versus Davis will mark a return to light-weight, assuming he can safely make the burden.
It wasn’t the case in a deliberate stay-busy combat gone awry final summer time. Lemos—the IBF light-weight obligatory on the time—was on account of face countryman Javier Jose Clavero final Aug. 18 however missed weight by eight kilos. The fee referred to as for a same-day weigh-in at a most of 140 kilos. Nonetheless, Lemos missed that mark as nicely.
The fallout prompted a ripple impact. Lemos misplaced his No. 1 rating at light-weight on the worst time. All of the belts grew to become obtainable when Devin Haney abdicated his RING and undisputed throne.
Lemos was initially named the obligatory challenger after his March 2022 knockout win over Wales’ Lee Selby.
The Ring has realized of three potential undercard slots on the present.
One apparent slot is reserved for Troy Isley (13-0, 5 KOs), Davis’ stablemate and Tokyo Olympics teammate. Isley hails from Alexandria, roughly three hours from Norfolk.
Two sources with information of the scenario inform The Ring that Isley might face Tyler Howard (20-1, 11 KOs).
Much less sure however extra vital to the telecast, WBO welterweight titlist Brian Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) is in line to land the co-feature slot.
Norman is at present in talks—no less than via social media—for a welterweight unification bout versus IBF titlist Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs). It comes throughout extra as posturing, although Ennis wants a greater possibility than his present enterprise. The Ring’s No. 1-rated welterweight was ordered to face obligatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian in an pointless rematch to his Jan. 2023 shutout win.
It might work to Norman’s benefit, although it would require a suggestion possible past truthful market worth to safe the combat. The Ring’s No. 5-rated welterweight was lately upgraded to full WBO titleholder. He received an interim model of the belt in a Could 18 tenth-round knockout of Giovani Santillan.
Potential opponents for Norman weren’t made obtainable to The Ring as this goes to publication.
The present can also be rumored to function high light-weight prospect Abdullah Mason (15-0, 13 KOs). It could function the fifth ring look of a can’t miss 2024 Prospect of the Yr run for the 20-year-old southpaw. All 4 of his fights on the yr have led to knockouts, none longer than 4 rounds.
