Lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis (10-0, 7 KOs) called out Teofimo Lopez and Emanuel Navarrete during the post-fight press conference last Thursday night after knocking out veteran Jose Pedraza (29-6-1, 14 KOs) in the sixth round at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
Calling Out the Champs
Proclaiming himself the best lightweight in the division, Keyshawn told the media that he wants to take on Navarrete, a newcomer to the 135-lb division, or WBO 140-lb champion Teofimo next.
The 2020 U.S Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn needs to pump the brakes because neither of those fighters are interested in fighting, especially after his low-level confidence booster type win over past his best Pedraza, who hasn’t won a fight in three years.
Top Rank’s Calculated Matchmaking
The fact that Top Rank matched Keyshawn against the 34-year-old Pedraza is a clear signal that they’ve got concerns about his potential or lack thereof.
He looked terrible against Nahir Albright, so Top Rank pulled Keyshawn back and matched against an old guy, Pedraza, with a 0-2-1 record in his previous three fights.
“I’m not playing. Teo, we can fight next fight,” said Keyshawn Davis to the media, calling out Teofimo Lopez after his win over Jose Pedraza last Thursday night.
“The Businessman has arrived. We’re the best at 135, for sure. When I tried to get him out of there in the second round, I couldn’t do it. So, I had to dig in kind of deep to stop him.
“He mentioned my name for no reason, so now I want to fight him,” said Keyshawn about Teofimo. “I’m the best at 135, and that’s where I’m going to stay.
“I love a challenge. That’s why I took this fight tonight. Navarrete will be another challenge for me. It would be an honor for me to get in the ring with Navarrete.
A Fight He Can Actually Get
“Everybody here respects Navarrete as you do me. So that’s going to be another fan-favorite fun fight, and that’s all I want to do is fun fight for the fans. Abdullah Mason is a young killer.
“He’s still got time for grooming, but he’s going to be at the top sooner or later,” said Keyshawn when asked about whether he’d like to fight the unbeaten Mason, who fought better than he did and looked more impressive with his second round knockout last Thursday night over Benjamin Gurments.
