Just like that,
Keyshawn Davis' championship reign is over with, at least for now.
Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia was ready to see their man defend his WBO lightweight title this past weekend. However there was one big problem: Davis missing weight.
After coming in 4.3 pounds over the 135-pound limit, Davis was stripped of his title. Soon after, his showdown against
Edwin De Los Santos fell by the wayside.
These things happen in boxing. Countless champions have lost their belts on the scales but for Davis, he doesn't appear interested in getting what belongs to him. Instead of putting his focus on some of the 135-pound belt holders, Davis claimed he outgrew the weight. Now, it appears likely that he'll head on over to the junior welterweight division.
Grabbing a title in a second division is salient, but Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) will have his work cut out for him. Richardson Hitchins, Alberto Puello, Gary Antuanne Russell, and Teofimo Lopez all hold a portion of the scattered 140-pound titles at present.
Davis won't head to the back of the line though as he hopes his former status will allow him some favorable treatment.
Jamaine Ortiz, who challenged Lopez for the WBO strap in February 2024, has a feeling Davis will do his best to jump the proverbial queue.
Backed by Top Rank and now having that standing as a former champion, there's a fast-tracked path for Davis but Ortiz (19-2-1, 9 KOs) has already gone public in refusing to let the 26-year-old go down it. So while he could manoevure himself into an immediate title shot, a certain someone is determined to ensure that doesn't happen.
"When one's a world champion in a division and they move up, they kinda get that quick and easy access," Ortiz said on MillCity Boxing during a one-on-one interview recently. "But I'm a guard the door to get to the belts."