The 2020 Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis made his pro boxing debut back in February 2021 when he defeated Lester Brown via second round TKO. Davis would go on to win his next 10 fights.
During his third year as a pro, Davis was experiencing evolution, as he was gradually approaching his peak. In November 2024, the Norfolk, Virginia, native had his first homecoming event.
With 2:40 remaining in the second round, Davis floored Gustavo Lemos when he landed a sharp counter right hand shot. Lemos was able to get up, but he went down a second time when Davis connected with a vicious left hook.
When Lemos tried to get up, he started reeling backwards and fell back down to the canvas. Once Lemos was able to gather himself, Keyshawn Davis landed a flurry of shots that floored Lemos for the third and final time.
Three months later, Keyshawn Davis stepped inside of the squared circle attempting to win his first world title. Around the midway point of the 4th round, Davis hit Denys Berinchyk with a well placed body shot.
The punch was debilitating, as Berinchyk fell to his knees and failed to beat the count. As a result of the knockout victory, Keyshawn Davis won the WBO lightweight strap.
After capturing his first world title, Keyshawn Davis was considered to be a star on the rise. Unfortunately for Davis, his progress came to a screeching halt due to the fact that Davis became his own worst enemy.
In what would have been his second homecoming event, Davis was scheduled to defend his WBO world title against Edwin De Los Santos in June 2025, but Davis came in 4.3 pounds over the weight limit, and the fight was canceled.
During the homecoming event he was supposed to participate in, Keyshawn Davis watched his brother Kelvin Davis battle Nahir Albright. Unfortunately for Kelvin, he lost via majority decision.
After the bout, Keyshawn and his other brother, Keon, went backstage and started an altercation with Albright. During the altercation, Keyshawn headbutted Nahir Albright.
As a result of his actions, the police escorted Keyshawn out of Norfolk Scope Arena.
Keyshawn would go on to take a break from boxing to focus on his mental health.
Now the undefeated former world champion Keyshawn Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) is focused on making 2026 the year of redemption. In 2025, Davis struggled with a personal loss and his dependency on alcohol.
“From June to August, I was drinking every day, depressed. I was texting my brothers, saying, ‘Aye bro, I just don’t want to be here no more. I just don’t want to be me,’ Davis said.
“My brothers were pulling up on me to make sure I was straight. Then Sept. 30th came, and my brother died. I was going through the hardest time of my life.”
Davis plans to start his year of redemption off by producing a stoppage victory over Jamaine Ortiz. Davis feels confident, and during a previous workout, he consistently used one particular word when referring to himself.
“January 31st, the amazing… the amazing, say it right man, say it right man, the amazing, say it! The amazing Keyshawn Davis!”
The former WBO lightweight world champion Keyshawn Davis feels fresh and rejuvenated. If Davis is able to defeat Ortiz on Jan. 31, he wants to fight a world champion at 147.
Regarding the calendar year, Davis plans on fighting at least three times. At the conclusion of 2026, Keyshawn believes his performances will help catapult his name onto the pound for pound list.
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