Keyshawn Davis Targets a December Bout with Jose Pedraza
Many boxing enthusiasts view Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis (10-0, 6 KO) as one of the top prospects in the sport. Next up for the 24-year-old could be a battle with veteran Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (29-5-1, 14 KOs).
On October 14, Davis captured a hard-earned split-decision victory over Nahir Albright. Davis’s promoter, Top Rank, wants to make a Davis versus Pedraza fight for December 9. Following his win over Albright, Davis said the following after being asked about a potential matchup with Pedraza:
“I just want to show that I belong here in the 135-pound division, in the top . . . I’m working my way up there. If Pedraza is willing to take this fight with me, let’s do it. December 9, let’s do it.”
WHY IT MAKES SENSE
Sniper is a two-division champion, winning world titles at junior lightweight and lightweight. The 34-year-old lefty is the definition of a professional. He’s a well-schooled fighter who often has a way of forcing opponents to fight his pace.
Pedraza has lost two of his last three fights and is coming off a tough unanimous decision loss to the unbeaten and world-ranked junior welterweight, Arnold Barboza Jr., in February 2023. But in the setback to Barboza Jr., Pedraza proved that he’s still not an easy out.
A STEP UP IN CLASS
With his guile, southpaw style, and loads of experience, Pedraza would be the biggest challenge of Davis’s career up to this point. It’s the kind of fight that would show if the heavily-hyped prospect is the real deal.
One would think the two-division champion would be interested in facing Davis. Not only would it be a chance for him to get back into the winning column, but a win over Davis would serve as a catalyst for Pedraza to make one last run at a possible world title shot.
Both fighters are promoted by Top Rank. So, it’s a fight that could be made with relative ease. It seems the ball is in Pedraza’s court whether it happens or not. Stay tuned to 3kingsboxing.com for any updates on this proposed contest.
