LIGHTWEIGHT sensation Keyshawn Davis is expertly equipped, both physically and mentally, to overcome his next assignment with a typically comprehensive performance.
The WBO world champion will take on crafty Dominican operator Edwin De Los Santos this Saturday, headlining his second show at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
Already, the 26-year-old has become a prolific ticket seller in his home city, a place once defined – in a sporting sense, that was – by the truly awe-inspiring magnetism of Pernell Whitaker.
But regardless of whether he does, in fact, cultivate a legacy that comes even remotely close to that of the pound-for-pound icon, Davis, 13-0 (9 KOs), nonetheless looks to have an illustrious career ahead of him.
Through the ropes, he offers a compelling blend of technical prowess and ruthless power, both attributes operating in unison whenever he goes through the gears.
His hit-and-not-get-hit style – defined, for so many years, by the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Andre Ward – epitomises an entrenched culture in American boxing, whereas his finishing instinct, at the same time, is likely to captivate a far wider audience.
In that sense, Davis could never be accused of being ‘boring,’ while his defensive slickness, in equal measure, will always remain in his back pocket, tucked away until exploited at a moment’s notice.
But aside from his talent in the ring, ‘The Businessman’ has, perhaps more important still, demonstrated an ability to keep his emotions firmly under control.
Prior to his fourth-round stoppage victory over Denys Berinchyk in February, Davis was sent an anonymous box containing bananas and a watermelon.
And yet, rather than allowing the act of racism to negatively impact his mindset, the American maintained his focus and, in doing so, took care of business in blistering fashion.
An equally destructive finish, however, is less likely to take place against De Los Santos, 16-2 (14 KOs).
Unlike Davis’ previous opponents, the 25-year-old possesses dynamite in both fists while, as evidenced by his last outing against Shakur Stevenson, offering a trojan-like work ethic throughout the 12-round distance.
That said, the more dynamic movement of Davis should ultimately see him emerge victorious, not quite extending his devastating surge of stoppages but nonetheless claiming a clinical win on points.
The champion may be compelled to overcome a series of hurdles along the way, of course, but as previously mentioned, his mental fortitude is designed in such a way that each challenge should represent familiar territory.
Having opened up about his mental health struggles in the past, too, Davis has since laid much of those demons to rest and, in turn, strengthened his ability to storm through times of adversity.
