Devin Haney is Still Too Much for Keyshawn Davis
A fighter who is high on the hit list of Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis is reigning WBO welterweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney. If recent in-ring performances are any indication, it’s fair to conclude that Davis would face a difficult challenge against “The Dream.”
Davis (15-0, 10 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision victory in his rematch with Nahir Albright on May 16 in Norfolk, Virginia. Following the fight, Davis stated that he is leaning toward moving up to 147 pounds and reiterated his desire to face Haney.
It’s a reasonable and ambitious goal for Davis. However, the question remains: could he defeat the reigning welterweight champion? There’s no denying that The Businessman is physically gifted. Still, there are flaws in his game that a fighter of Haney’s caliber could exploit.
WHY HE’S NOT READY
First and foremost, Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) holds advantages in jab consistency, footwork, and overall defense. In the professional ranks, Davis has yet to face someone with Haney’s combination of speed, athleticism, and technical skill. Haney also possesses a major edge in experience and has consistently shown an ability to control the tempo of fights and force opponents to compete on his terms.
There’s also an important intangible factor: discipline. In the rematch with Albright, Davis initially missed weight, marking the second time in his career he failed to make the contracted limit. Whatever criticism Haney has received throughout his career, one thing that cannot be questioned is his professionalism and preparation. In boxing, discipline outside the ring often plays a major role inside of it.
Davis has shown flashes of elite potential. However, outside of his head-scratching performance in the no-contest against Ryan Garcia in April 2024, Haney has consistently operated at an elite level for years – a level that Davis has yet to reach. If the two were to fight today, the evidence suggests that Haney’s polished skillset, ring IQ, and experience would likely prove too much for Davis to overcome.
Be the first to comment