Keyshawn Davis is set to face his toughest challenge yet in his professional career when he takes on experienced veteran Jose Pedraza this Thursday night. The ten-round bout, which is part of a Top Rank-promoted event at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, will be televised on ESPN. This fight will serve as a test for Top Rank to see if their decision to sign the 24-year-old Davis was the right one, especially after his loss to the talented Cuban Andy Cruz in the 2020 Olympic gold medal match.
During the face-off at the final press conference, Davis shared his observations of Pedraza’s intense gaze, indicating that his opponent is not to be taken lightly. Davis understands the importance of this fight, especially after his close call against Nahir Albright last November. He knows he needs to step up his game against the former two-division world champion Pedraza, who has a reputation for being a tough competitor.
Albright was able to exploit Davis’ vulnerabilities in their previous fight by applying relentless pressure. Cruz, who defeated Davis three times in the amateur ranks, also used this strategy effectively. Davis recognizes that Pedraza will likely employ a similar approach, given his experience and reputation in the sport. Despite this, Davis respects his opponent and is prepared to give his all in the ring. He believes that both he and Pedraza are coming to fight, and he is confident that the fans will be the ultimate winners on fight night.
Davis acknowledges that Pedraza is a legitimate opponent with an impressive track record. He considers Pedraza to be his first truly challenging opponent and views this fight as an opportunity to showcase his skills to the fans. Davis is determined to rise to the occasion and prove his greatness on Thursday night.