Keyshawn Davis has made a dramatic return to the USA Olympic boxing team after halting a fast-moving professional career that led him to fights on Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s lower cards. 2021 has been a turbulent year for many, but Davis saw a whirlwind six months before this summer’s trip to Tokyo. The 22-year-old was due to go to the Olympics last year as one of the gold medal winners in the lightweight category, but due to the games being postponed, followed by a row with American boxing, the Virginia man made a difficult decision to turn professional in January, and luckily for Davis Due to problems with scheduling the Olympic qualifiers, the bold move was taken by the organizers to allow boxers to compete based on past achievements. That opened the door for Davis, as well as Duke Ragan and Troy Easley, to get back into the U.S. Olympics fold and bid for the highest honor in amateur boxing. Image: The 22-year-old has already plunged into the media spotlight Image: Davis fought twice on the same law as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez With both parties putting their issues to one side, there are now five men representing the US states at the Games, as it was considered Davis is his best bet for gold. “It was meant to be,” the American boxing star told Sky Sports from his US Olympic training camp in Colorado Springs. “For a bunch of reasons this opportunity was snatched from me, and now I take it back. Something tells me that when they were changing the rules, they were thinking of me.” His belief that regulators might have changed the rules to aid his extraordinary talent is an insight into the man’s mentality. He is amazingly confident in his ability and has no doubts that an incredibly successful career awaits him. Davis is already planning to surpass the accomplishments of fellow Virginia native, legendary Pernell Whitaker. “Burnell was actually from the same city as me, Norfolk. He was a fighter who achieved greatness. World quaterweight champion, Olympic gold medalist.” [Whitaker’s nickname] It was amazing. Unfortunately, he wasn’t great outside of boxing. I want to achieve everything he did in the ring but also be a great teacher and a role model far from it. “Davis’ journey as he pursues a 1984 Whitaker gold medal is set to begin on July 27 in the lightweight division, the same weight class in which ‘Sweet Pea’ topped the podium. America has the best world champions, and I carry myself with them. Keyshawn Davis, aka the man As a “entrepreneur” he exudes confidence for good reason. With an impressive amateur record he’s lost, he’s also competed with three of America’s top talent – Teofemo Lopez, Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis.” It was just a great learning experience, as all of these guys competed . Each one had a different experience. He added, “It only helps with boxing’s IQ and skill level.” To compete with these guys, and then go back to the amateurs, it’s very useful. America has the best heroes in the world, and I carry my hero with them. It was just a great way to develop my skills. I’ve quarreled with Terrence Crawford and Shakur Stevenson too; You can’t get any better than that. “Now I’m going back to the amateurs, I know these guys aren’t at my level. I’ve been fighting them since I was 19, and I’m 22 now.” Asked if he was worried about facing Andy Cruz, the Cuban he defeated at the Amateur World Championships in 2019, Davis has usually been assertive. “There is no doubt that he is the best boxer I have ever dealt with in terms of technical ability. The physically strongest is the Armenian, Hovhannes Pachkov, but I am not at all afraid and I know I will win the gold. 2019 was a Cruz boxer, I am a different boxer now.” I am not worried about How to make the draw or who I face will take care of himself.” Fighting on the biggest stages is something Davis has already experienced, appearing on the bottom cards in Canelo’s last two victories, as well as setting off to Dubai to feature on the same bill as Jamal Hering’s world title struggle against Karl Frampton, He is currently sitting at 3-0 as a pro, with this version of his current career. pending. Even if he wins the gold medal, Davis won’t rush toward the title upon his return to the paid ranks. Image: Davis defeated Jose Antonio Mesa on the lower card Canelo vs Billy Joe Saunders Image: He made three professional wins in five months “After winning the gold, it wouldn’t change anything. I’m going to stay on the same track as I was before I had this Olympic opportunity.” Again.” The gold medal gives you more exposure, but that doesn’t mean I’m looking to go down a fast track. The plan will be as it was before the Olympics. “Davis holds Manny Pacquiao as his first boxing champion and aspires to beat a string of teams like the Filipino superstar.” I’m currently lightweight, but I can definitely see myself finishing even at middleweight, maybe even middleweight. If I had the opportunity to skip sections, I would. “But for now his thoughts are simply focused on winning that shining gold medal, something that has been a dream since he first wore the gloves at the age of nine alongside his two brothers, who are both now professionals. And the gold is something that has eluded the men’s boxing team. Amazingly in the United States since Andre Ward won gold in 2004, when Davis was just five years old. All of America, I know the entire nation is behind me,” he said. You will make the American people happy. It’s been 17 years since the last year. “It’s going to be very special.”
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