Undefeated Keyshaun Davis is approaching what could be the most significant fight of his four-year professional career as he prepares to defend his WBO lightweight title against the quick and powerful southpaw Edwin de los Santos this Saturday. The 26-year-old Virginian, holding a record of 13-0 with 9 knockouts, is set to headline the event at the Scope Arena in his hometown.
Davis insists this bout is no different from any other fight for him, showing confidence in his skills and dismissing the hype around de los Santos, who is known for his knockout power since turning pro in 2018. De los Santos, from the Dominican Republic, stunned many with his third-round knockout of future 140-pound champion Jose “El Reio” Valenzuela in 2022 and has previously challenged WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson with his relentless aggression and knockout threat.
Despite a difficult injury that sidelined him for 19 months, de los Santos is returning healthy and motivated, asserting that overcoming his health battle makes this fight even more meaningful for him and his home country. The tension between the fighters has heated up, culminating in a tense moment at the final press conference when de los Santos tried to grab Davis’s belt, leading to a physical reaction from Davis.
Davis embraces the challenge and the mental edge these confrontations bring, predicting he will stop de los Santos despite the latter’s relentless style and southpaw stance. Davis’s recent rise includes a highlight knockout victory over Gustavo Lemos and capturing the WBO title after defeating Dennis Belinchik in New York. Known for his perfectionist nature, Davis states he wasn’t impressed with Belinchik but is excited by fights that bring unpredictability and action.
Fans have been buzzing about Davis as he aims for bigger fights, possibly against stars like Gervonta “Tank” Davis. However, he believes the best way to win over fans is through entertaining, powerful performances—something he expects to deliver against de los Santos. Davis is not one to play it safe, preferring to engage in action-packed fights, using his strong amateur background and Olympic experience to outthink and overpower opponents.
For this fight, Davis is the favorite, expected to win by TKO in the seventh round, but he acknowledges de los Santos’s speed, power, and aggression could make it a competitive matchup. Ultimately, Davis’s superior ring IQ and strategic skill will likely lead him to a signature victory, proving his bold claims about his prowess inside the ring.
Fight Card:
– Keyshaun Davis (C) vs. Edwinderos Santos, WBO lightweight title
– Abdullah Mason vs. Jeremia Nakasihila, Lightweight
Event Details:
– Date: June 7th
– Location: Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia
– Start Time: 10pm ET
– Broadcast: ESPN and streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Prediction: Keyshaun Davis wins via TKO in round 7.
Fan Take: This fight is crucial as it could solidify Keyshaun Davis’s status as a top contender in the lightweight division, showcasing talent and heart that fight fans crave. A win here might set the stage for bigger, high-profile matchups that could elevate the sport’s excitement and bring fresh energy to lightweight boxing.
