LAS VEGAS -- Keyshawn Davis won a silver medal for the U.S. in the 2021 Games in Tokyo, and turned pro amid much fanfare and predictions of stardom.
Recent results were good, though not great, and his last fight was changed from a win to a no-contest when it was discovered he had marijuana in his system. Prior to his fight Thursday with Jose Pedraza, "The Businessman" told KevinIole.com that he'd given up marijuana and that it had made him more confident, helped him feel better and brought him closer to God.
Whatever it did, it helped him fight a lot better. He was brilliant in a sixth-round TKO of former lightweight world champion Jose Pedraza Thursday at the Michelob Ultra Center. Davis' hand and foot speed and his sharp combinations controlled the bout.
Pedraza tried to pressure and switched from southpaw to orthodox and back, but it was all in vain. He was eating punches regularly and they were clearly taking a toll on him.
In the third, Davis (10-0, 7 KOs) nailed him with a right hand that backed Pedraza to his corner. Davis was on him in an instant and landed a series of lefts and rights to the head. Only Pedraza's veteran savvy helped him survive.
Davis closed the show in the sixth. He continued to lump Pedraza up in Rounds 4 and 5 and then stepped on the gas a bit in the sixth.As Pedraza reeled along the ropes looking for cover, Davis landed blistering combinations and referee Thomas Taylor jumped in to stop it.
After the bout, he called out super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, who fought in the main event Thursday against Jamaine Ortiz.
"Teofimo has been doing a lot of talking lately," Davis said in the ring. "I’ll go up to 140 and fight Teofimo. What’s up? ! got this win tonight. You already know how I’m coming. You and your father. So let’s set it up. I’ll come straight to 140. Let’s go! And if you’re scared Teofimo, then [Emanuel] Navarrete. He is a great fighter. He is a hell of a fighter. It would be an honor to get in the ring with you after you capture the WBO title. So let’s do it.”