It has been a few years since Keyshawn Davis last fought within the junior welterweight limit, dating back to his days as a prospect. He had maxed out back then at about 138lbs before dropping down within 135lbs and ultimately capturing a lightweight world title.
But Davis is due to arrive back at junior welterweight soon. His lightweight days are clearly over given that he lost his WBO belt on the scales in June, when he came in massively overweight at 139.3lbs, causing his defense against Edwin De Los Santos to be canceled.
Although the 26-year-old Davis, 13-0 (9 KOs), has not yet scheduled or competed in a recent fight at 140lbs, the WBO has installed him as its No. 1 junior welterweight in its latest ratings update, which was released on September 25 and reflects results as of September 15.
The WBO’s decision is not a surprise; Davis had petitioned to become the No. 1 junior welterweight contender. This is different from how Oleksandr Usyk, who had been designated the WBO’s “super” champion at cruiserweight, had the right to automatically become the WBO’s mandatory challenger when he moved up to heavyweight.
The WBO titleholder at 140lbs is Teofimo Lopez Jnr, who is also the lineal junior welterweight champion. He is in negotiations for a fight with WBC lightweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson.
Davis entering the rankings at No. 1 pushed back the man who previously held that spot, Alfredo Santiago, into the No. 2 position. It is possible that Davis and Santiago could meet for the WBO’s interim belt at 140lbs, according to BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire.
Following Davis and Santiago in the WBO’s rankings are Isaac Cruz, Lindolfo Delgado, Alberto Puello, Arnold Barboza, Oscar Duarte, Aram Faniian, Jose Ramirez, Hendri Cedeno, Jamaine Ortiz, Jack Raffery, Antonio Moran, Ernesto Mercado and Joo Young Kim.
David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.
