From Bob Arum’s point of view, Keyshawn Davis has officially gone from hotshot prospect to an untouchable phenom.

That’s saying a lot coming from Arum. The Hall of Fame promoter has been around the game practically longer than anyone. In layman’s terms, that means he’s seen it all.

Davis, from the beginning, has been unbelievable. Arum’s belief in the 25-year-old has gone to the point where he’s willing to give him a title shot in just his 12th pro fight, something that will take place this weekend.

The lightweight division is about as star-studded as you can imagine. From Gervonta Davis to Shakur Stevenson, the 135-pounders are held in high regard. But while Davis (12-0, 8 KOs) isn’t the most experienced or most recognizable name, Arum doesn’t believe he can be beat, even if he were thrown into the ring with a certain all-time great.

“I’d favor Keyshawn over anybody in the lightweight division right now,” said Arum during an interview with The Ring. “Including Lomachenko.”

The Ring’s No. 2 ranked lightweight looked incredibly sharp in 2024, putting together a near flawless performance against George Kambosos Jr. to become an IBF belt holder. Davis has a chance to meet Lomachenko on that championship pedestal if he takes care of business against Denys Berinchyk for his WBO title.

Although they would both be considered champions, their career paths are heading in seemingly opposite directions. Davis, without question, has plenty of years left in the sport. The sand in the hourglass of Lomachenko’s, on the other hand, virtually ran out.

Following a controversial 2023 loss to Devin Haney, Lomachenko was acrimonious and despondent. He moved away from the spotlight and contemplated retirement. Walking away from the game appeared to be his decision until his father talked him out of it.

There’s a chance that his father, once his son gets healthy, talks him into making another run. If he decides to empty out the tank and give it his all, however, it won’t quite matter to Arum. The combination of his age and diminishing skills has convinced him that Lomachenko simply isn’t the same anymore.

“I don’t think Lomachenko, if he comes back, will be as great as he was before. And remember, Lomachenko was never really big enough as a lightweight. He was better at featherweight and junior lightweight. So yes, I think Keyshawn is better than anybody in the lightweight division.”