Keyshawn Davis had made a close to flawless begin to his skilled profession after 9 fights and 9 wins. The 2020 Olympic Lightweight silver medallist is tipped for excellent issues however hit a bump in the highway towards Nahir Albright 4 months in the past. Having received by majority determination Davis then examined optimistic for marijuana afterwards. The 24-year-old was hit with a 90-day suspension by the Texas Boxing Commission and noticed his win over Albright modified to a no-decision. On Thursday (February 8) Davis is again in the ring towards veteran Jose Pedraza. Boxing News spoke to Davis about that suspension, his skilled improvement, Pedraza and extra.
Interview by Shaun Brown
BN: How would you assess the three years you’ve had to date in your profession and your personal improvement?
KD: I really feel like Top Rank did an awesome job of growing me. They put me in marquee fights on nice playing cards. I’ve fought on Heisman Trophy weekend two instances already, now I’m preventing in Super Bowl [week]. Top Rank put me on these proper playing cards, so I’m positively comfortable about that, I obtained no complaints about that in any respect. Me growing inside the ring, once more Top Rank have the finest matchmaking. They assist me prepare at a quick tempo as a result of of their matchmaking. And the cause I’m preventing Jose Pedraza proper now could be as a result of of the matchmaking and each fight made since. Each fight I get out the ring like, “Ooh, that was fun. I like that, that was good matchmaking.” I all the time give them credit score. I respect how they do issues, I recognise, and I’m going to give respect as a result of that’s the kind of particular person I’m. Shout out to Top Rank for actual.
BN: Having had such a stellar novice profession what are the greatest variations you’ve seen in the skilled ranks?
KD: I really feel like persons are much more delicate in the professionals. When I used to be novice, I’d do lots of the similar issues that I’m doing professional and folks [have] simply taken it to excessive measures. I wouldn’t have by no means thought it might have been that approach. And after I do sure stuff, I’d be like, “Damn, I wish I’d never done that.” I’d have by no means recognized people who find themselves recording my [Instagram] stay and placing it on YouTube and make pretend media out of it. Saying issues that I actually didn’t say or the caption [they make]. I really feel like since I turned professional I gotta watch what I say lots. Just lots of pretend media occurring out right here. That’s exterior the ring stuff. But inside the ring I’d say it’s extra enjoyable, it’s much more enjoyable since you get extra alternative to show your skills but additionally you don’t gotta rush with the issues that you simply do. You can gradual it down; you possibly can perceive the fight sport lots higher now that you simply’re knowledgeable. It’s enjoyable, lots of enjoyable.
BN: Did you discover it powerful to bounce again after the suspension you obtained for testing optimistic for marijuana following your fight towards Nahir Albright?
KD: I’ll hold it actual; I used to be comfortable they suspended me. After they suspended me, I used to be like okay, I simply purchased my home. So, now I’ve obtained time to repair up my home and do issues I want to do with my brand-new home that I simply purchased. First-time residence purchaser, 24 years previous, so I’m enthusiastic about that. My little brother, he was preventing in the Olympic Trials, so I get to go see him compete in the Olympic Trials which Keon received. And the week after my massive brother Kelvin Davis was preventing in Florida. So, I obtained to expertise issues I didn’t assume I used to be going to give you the chance to get to. I used to be like fuck it I’ll take it as blessing in disguise and stay my life.
BN: So, your subsequent fight is towards Jose Pedraza. What risk does he current to you?
KD: He obtained expertise. Fast, robust, hits laborious however I don’t see nothing until I get in the ring with him. Looking on digicam I don’t see any bodily threats he brings however he has expertise and I do know he obtained IQ, I do know he know the way to arrange pictures. I do know he know the way to stroll you into lots of pictures that the different fighters couldn’t predict in the ring. I need to see how sensible he is in there once I fight him. I’m a really, very sensible fighter. Honesty, I don’t see anybody smarter than me out right here in the 135lbs division and its gonna present once I fight Jose Pedraza. I simply wanna see how sensible he is and see if he can stroll me into pictures and see if the little issues, he does truly work on me. I don’t assume they’ll, however I like the fight. This fight gonna deliver a problem and convey the finest out in me.
BN: I learn in an interview that you simply consider beating Pedraza makes you a foremost occasion fighter. Who would you want that foremost occasion to be towards in the future?
KD: I’d actually love to fight [Emanuel] Navarrete. He’s preventing [Denys] Baranchyk for the WBO [lightweight] title. I used to be additionally calling out [Vasyl] Lomachenko, the winner of Lomachenko and [George] Kambosos. Who wouldn’t like to fight Lomachenko. He’s an awesome fighter with an awesome following. But me simply being life like I’m ranked greater in the WBO and Navarrete’s preventing for the WBO. I’d love to fight Navarrete.
BN: How do you see Lomachenko-Kambosos taking part in out?
KD: I feel Lomachenko is certainly gonna win. I obtained lots of respect for Kambosos and y’all gonna see the finest outta Kambosos, actually. But I feel Lomachenko’s gonna win. Overall, he’s the higher fighter.
BN: I additionally learn you’re keen to fight Floyd Schofield. Is there a rivalry between the two of you or is it merely a want to fight him?
KD: I simply really feel like that’d be a enjoyable fight. That’d be a fight to promote simply. But actually, I’m simply trying to catch larger fish on the market.
BN: How do you see 2024 going for you? Do you anticipate by the end of it to be preventing for a world title?
KD: After I knock Pedraza out which is able to look large, a world title’s positively round the nook.
BN: And lastly, what’s your ideas on the present state of the light-weight division?
KD: A lotta folks is transferring out of light-weight. We obtained Isaac Cruz preventing at 140, Shakur [Stevenson] retired. Tank [Davis] preventing in all kind of divisions, by no means know when he gonna come again to boxing. Teofimo [Lopez] and Ryan Garcia are at 140. Honestly, the ’35 division nonetheless has lots of fighters there nevertheless it’s not as widespread because it used to be. I’m simply comfortable that I’m nonetheless right here and if all the rain comes to me then presumably, I could make lots of massive fights occur beginning with this Jose Pedraza fight. Hopefully we get Navarrete by the end of this 12 months.
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