Keyshawn Davis leads a solid class of U.S. hopefuls in the Olympics
Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis was all business during the first round of the Olympic games. He dominated Netherlands fighter Enrico La Cruz (5-0) Saturday in Tokyo. Moreover, he can finally get the elusive victory over Cuban top lightweight Andy Cruz.
Davis is already a professional fighter with an undefeated record of 3-0, 2 KOs. Furthermore, he is the United States’ best chance to win a gold medal since first-ballot Hall of Fame fighter Andre “SOG” Ward back in 2004. He is heavily endorsed by former WBO featherweight champion and junior lightweight number one contender Shakur Stevenson. Also, his dominating performance in the first round prompted a response from Ward.
The Businessman is a highly decorated amateur fighter with over 70 fights. He won the silver medal in 2019 at both, the World Championship and Pan American Games.
LOOKING FOR REVENGE AGAINST AN OLD FOE
The 22-year-old from Norfolk, Virginia almost saw the dream of representing his country taken away after being cut from the team. However, the global pandemic postponed the Olympics qualifying tournament. This allowed Davis to regain a slot on the team. He went on to score enough points in the international amateur tournament to qualify. In addition to getting back on the Olympic team, he has an opportunity for one last shot at nemesis and world number one rated lightweight Cruz.
The Cuban boxer is a two-time gold medalist in both, the World Championship and Pan American Games. Furthermore, he has defeated Davis three times, all by unanimous decision. Ironically, two of those victories were in 2019 for the Gold medal at both, the World Championships and Pan American Games.
So it is easy to see why Davis should be eager to get back to business to scratch that nagging itch, and this time his experience as a professional fighter may be the key to victory. He will be facing a familiar foe in Sofiane Oumiha from France. Davis defeated the French fighter in the World championship in 2019.
Fellow American fighters to advance to the round of 16 are Duke Ragan (professional fighter from Cincinnati, Ohio), and amateur standout Delante Johnson. Professional fighter Troy Isley will fight in the round of 32 against Vitali Bandarenka from Belarus on July 26 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
By: Garrisson Bland
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