Edwin De Los Santos doesn’t believe in moral victories, but he took a few positives from his unanimous decision loss to Shakur Stevenson in 2023.

Stevenson is a defensive fighter, but against De Los Santos on that particular night, he fought like a man attempting to swim without getting wet. In addition, Stevenson has barely lost rounds throughout his career, and despite defeat De Los Santos banked several rounds.

Steve Weisfeld and Tim Cheatham gave him four rounds apiece (116-112), while David Sutherland had it closer with a 7-5 scorecard (115-113) in Stevenson's favor.

Given his display, it seemed likely the 25-year-old southpaw would have countless opportunities to return on the big stage. Due to a career-threatening blood clot in his leg, he was forced into spending substantial time recovering.

After doing so and being given the all-clear to return, no one would have begrudged him taking a soft touch in his first fight in 19 months. He saw no need. He's jumping right back into the mix with another lightweight champion.

On June 7, at Scope Arena, in Norfolk, Virginia, De Los Santos and newly crowned WBO titleholder Keyshawn Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) will duel in the latter's first championship defense.

For anyone, including De Los Santos, a life-threatening ailment could be a lot to deal with. It may force some to be more cautious, but others may look at it as a second chance. De Los Santos isn’t into sob stories, nor viewing his condition as an excuse to take it easy and day-by-day. While arduous, he's ready to move forward and do what he does best.

Davis, nevertheless, couldn’t care less that De Los Santos is feeling like a brand new man. In what was supposed to be the two biggest moments of his career, he shone with consecutive stoppage victories over Gustavo Lemos and former champion Denys Berinchyk.

It won’t be the first time he’s fighting in front of his hometown, but mark a maiden appearance as an official world champion.

De Los Santos (16-2, 14 KOs) hopes Davis enjoys his transient moment in the sun. He also wants the 26-year-old not to look past him because of his medical issue. With everything clicking on all cylinders, he’s incredibly confident of having a night to remember.

“This rest didn’t affect me mentally,” De Los Santos told FightHype.com. “I focused on recovery. Thank God I recovered. I’m more than ready to come and give a good show.”