Keyshawn Davis decided to play up to his ‘Businessman’ moniker even before his actual business this weekend.
The 2020 Olympic silver medalist and reigning WBO lightweight titlist looked no further than to his immediate right in search of his next opponent. There, he found undefeated lightweight contender Abdullah Mason on stage, as both will appear in separate bouts on ESPN this Saturday.
Both Davis, 13-0 (9 KOs) and Mason, 18-0 (16 KOs) are both overwhelming favorites to beat Dominican Republic’s Edwin De Los Santos, 16-2 (14 KOs) and Namibia’s Jeremia Nakathila, 26-4 (21 KOs), respectively.
Davis risks his WBO 135lbs title for the first time, while Mason – ranked number-two by the WBO – hopes to inch closer to that, or any, belt this year. The 21-year-old southpaw insisted he will be ready for the title level with a win on Saturday at The Scope in Davis’ hometown of Norfolk, Virginia.
“Absolutely,” Mason told ESPN’s Crystina Poncher when posed with the question during Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference.
It’s what any young, rising fighter should say. But it wasn’t enough for Saturday’s headlining act, who challenged the Cleveland-based southpaw to put something behind his words.
“So, what you want to do?” Davis questioned Mason as the two were seated side-by-side on stage. “After you beat [Nakathila], what you wanna do?”
Davis and Mason are both promoted by Top Rank, which in theory should make the fight easier to happen – if both win on Saturday, and truly want it next.
Mason paused for a second – long enough for Davis to playfully mock his hesitation – before he offered a more substantive response.
“We can do whatever. I’m pretty sure my team can put anything together,” insisted Mason.
Not good enough.
“Are you gonna put it together, sir? You’re the man in there,” suggested Davis.
“I don’t want to talk to you right now,” quipped Mason.
That energy was all but a given to the confident hometown headlining act.
“I bet you don’t,” Davis said with a stern grin.
Mason is generally mild-mannered and not into the hype part of the game. His in-ring performances already speak volumes – he’s knocked out each of his past eight opponents.
Saturday will mark the third time in four fights where he will appear on a card topped by Davis, all but putting the two on a collision course. Mason appeared in this very arena last November, when he recovered from the lone knockdown of his career to halt Yohan Vazquez late in the second round of their wild slugfest.
The recurring theme of sharing bills has not gone unnoticed with Davis, who figured it’s time to cut to the chase.
“So, let’s do it next. Let’s me and you make it happen right now, in front of everyone,” challenged Davis. “After I knock De Los Santos out… after you knock this opponent out, me and you let’s fight next.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” Mason promised.
The comment caught the 26-year-old local favorite off guard for a brief moment.
“You’re here to fight me next?” Davis questioned before seeking out their Hall of Fame promoter. “Bob Arum, the man with the plan. You like it? You’re gonna get this man hurt.”
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on and .