RISING star Keyshawn Davis looks to follow in the footsteps of pound-for-pound legend Pernell Whitaker by capturing the world lightweight title this Friday.
The illustrious career of ‘Sweet Pea’ delivered several twists and turns, including an abysmal decision that denied him a clear as day victory against Julio Cesar Chavez.
There is, however, far less controversy attached to his style; a style which, simply put, remains one of the most dynamic and compelling this sport has ever seen.
Whitaker, after all, was a fighter who perhaps came closest to mastering the art of defence, with his tremendous footwork and sharp reflexes always forging a rhythmic, yet remarkably seamless, display in the ring.
In many ways, it was Whitaker who put Norfolk, Virginia, on the map – at least in a sporting sense – after claiming the IBF lightweight strap back in 1989.
And now, over three decades removed from the Hall of Famer’s feat, Davis, 12-0 (8 KOs) – another Norfolk contender challenging for world honours at 135lbs – is determined to make history repeat itself.
Like his moniker implies, ‘The Businessman’ adopts a shrewd and calculated approach both in and out of the ring.
His decorated amateur career, of course, was instrumental to building the foundations of his technical prowess but, equally, the 25-year-old has proven to be a ruthless finisher in the professional ranks.
In his last outing, for instance, Davis halted proceedings with an emphatic second-round stoppage against a fighter, Gustavo Lemos, who previously took IBF super-lightweight titlist Richardson Hitchins the distance.
That said, the American’s next assignment against Denys Berinchyk, 19-0 (9 KOs), promises to deliver a vastly more formidable test.
The Ukrainian claimed his WBO strap last May, producing a measured and sturdy performance to outpoint the notoriously awkward and elusive Emanuel Navarrete.
In that particular matchup, though, it could be said that the unorthodox style of Navarrete suited Berinchyk, whose well-schooled fundamentals and additional size saw him execute a more disciplined game plan than his opponent.
The dazzling style of Davis, however, represents an entirely different challenge for the 36-year-old, with his ageing legs most likely quivering at the thought of the younger challenger’s fast-twitch movement.
And so, while Berinchyk’s durability should see him go the full 12 rounds, a blistering performance from Davis will likely prove too much for the seasoned veteran, seeing a newly-crowned lightweight champion return to Norfolk for the first time in around 35 years.
