There was no logical reason to believe that Kyrone Davis would find himself in a title eliminator anytime soon.

It’s easy to understand, therefore, why he would jump at the opportunity to participate in such a fight—even if it means moving up both in weight and level of opposition.

“It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” Davis admitted during a recent media conference call to discuss his forthcoming showdown with former two-time super middleweight titlist Anthony Dirrell. “I’m a lot bigger than people think that I am or expect me to be.”

The bout between Dirrell (33-2-1, 24KOs) and Davis takes place this Saturday, live on Fox from Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles. A press release from Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)—who presents this weekend’s show—indicated that the bout is a WBC super middleweight title eliminator. The winner will merely be in position to enter a final eliminator, from there moving on to a coveted title shot.

It makes sense for Flint’s Dirrell, who has twice held the WBC title and is currently ranked number-four by the Mexico City-based sanctioning body. Davis (15-2, 6KOs) is not ranked at any weight by the WBC, nor does it make sense—beyond a political favor—for the Wilmington, Delaware-based middleweight to be in such a position based on career merit or even potential.

Still, it’s a fight he was offered and would be foolish to reject if only for the chance to return to the ring. Davis hasn’t fought since a 4th round knockout of Antonio Todd last January in Philadelphia, where he regularly trains under the watchful eye of Stephen ‘Breadman’ Edwards. The win was Davis’ second straight—both at middleweight—after suffering a decision defeat to the late Patrick Day in their March 2018 junior middleweight clash.

The heaviest that the 5’10” Davis has weighed as a pro is 161 pounds back in 2015. It comes in stark contrast to the career of Dirrell, who at 6’2” owns a four-inch height advantage and who has fought as heavy as 172 pounds, in addition to his two brief super middleweight title reigns.

However, there is also the matter of Dirrell coming in at age 36, having not fought in 17 months and arguably long past his best years.

Add it all up, and it’s worth the risk of testing out a new weight division—which prove to be a perfect fit.

“I think people are going to be surprised when they see me in the ring, the way I look,” believes Davis. “My sparring partners are bigger but I always spar with bigger guys. I’m eating a little bit more and I feel comfortable. It’s a weight class jump but it’s nothing crazy. I feel like I’m going to be in good shape.

“I’m absolutely motivated. It’s a big fight for me. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of. The moment is bigger so I have to rise to the occasion. That’s what great fighters do. The pressure is greater, that’s what makes the moment bigger. I’m just embracing it all.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox