Keyshawn Davis doesn’t want to hang around boxing for too long.
That was among the revelations in the WBO lightweight titleholder recently did with Andre Ward as part of the Hall of Famer’s “The Art of Ward” interview series.
“I honestly want to start getting into streaming,” Davis told Ward. “I think I would be a great promoter. I just want to use boxing to put me [into] other things.”
Boxing has a long tradition of great fighters who fought for too long, which Davis wants to avoid.
“I can’t love this too much, because this is gonna come and go. And once it’s gone, I can’t keep fighting… I love this sport for sure, but just for the moment.”
Davis referred to a conversation he had with fellow lightweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson – in Davis’ telling, Stevenson said: “After I retire, I still gotta live another 50 [years]!”
But Davis, 26, is still a very recent arrival to the spotlight. The lightweight silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 was featured regularly during his professional development, but his true entry into the big time came in November 2024. That’s when Davis enjoyed a smashing homecoming success, taking apart Gustavo Lemos in two rounds for a roaring crowd in Norfolk, Virginia.
“When you got your hometown, and everybody expects you to win, it’s a different type of pressure,” Ward said.
Davis, though, wore a goofy grin on his face.
“How?” he asked.
The idea that Davis is immune to a pressure felt by Ward – one of the greatest boxers of his generation – hints at a tantalizing future for Davis.
Davis, 13-0 (9 KOs), is back in Norfolk on June 7, defending his belt against Edwin De Los Santos in an ESPN main event.
“The Businessman” shed some light on matchmaking, too. He was asked about a possible fight with Andy Cruz, the promising but professionally inexperienced Cuban with a 5-0 (2 KOs) record – and the person who bested Davis in Tokyo.
“They ain’t ready yet,” Davis said.
Ward pointed out that Cruz had been calling for the fight now.
“I was talking trash to Devin Haney [when] I was like 7-0! Saying, ‘I’m ready now.’ I’m knowing damn well I wasn’t ready now! I was going eight-round fights,” Davis laughed. “You gotta sound that way, though.”
Davis’ confidence shone through the interview. He described his title win over Denys Berinchyk as “easy, honestly. I knew it would be easy.” And when pressed for a prediction on a hypothetical fight with Cruz?
“Under six,” Davis said without hesitating.