Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos Predictions: First defence has shades of Shakur

Keyshawn Davis makes the first defence of his WBO lightweight championship this Saturday, June 7 as he takes on Edwin De Los Santos. The bout takes place at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The fight will be screened on ESPN+ in the United States, but is yet to secure a UK broadcaster. British fans have watched Davis’ rise on Sky Sports, but the media giant’s deal with Top Rank ended last month and Bob Arum’s promotion is yet to announce a replacement.

Here are my Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos predictions ahead of this world title collision.

Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos Odds

Davis is a strong 1/6 to win his first title defence. De Los Santos comes in at 4/1. The draw is priced at 20/1.

Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos Fight Preview

Most observers, myself included, thought Davis would prevail last time out in his WBO lightweight title shot at double-tough Ukrainian Denys Berinchyk. But as you will see from the article attached, I certainly did not expect the performance we saw.

Berinchyk came in at 19-0 and had just become the first man to defeat three-weight world king Emanuel Navarrete in 12 years. I expected Davis to be too quick and well-rounded. I did not expect ‘The Businessman’ to do the deal via demolition.

It took four electric rounds for the Tokyo 2020 silver medalist to pick apart the previously-unbeaten champion. A points win would have been par for the course. A shut-out would have been a statement. This was a coronation by force.

The first defence is an interesting one, with some shared history baked into the narrative. Fans who have followed Davis since he turned pro will know all about his friendship with fellow Olympic medalist and current WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. Well the Jersey southpaw is actually De Los Santos’ most recent opponent.

Stevenson out-pointed the Dominican contender in November 2023. The fight was a grind, featuring scant action in terms of punches landed for either man. Rounds were close at times, but Shakur did enough to win them. However, while Stevenson has gone on to successfully defend his belt twice more, we have not seen De Los Santos in a ring since.

Being out of the ring for over a year is not ideal preparation by any means. But De Los Santos is still only 25 years old. The body has an elasticity at that age that makes absorbing an absence far easier. 

Despite his lay-off, De Los Santos is a fighter you cannot underestimate. In 2022 he came in as a big underdog against unbeaten contender Jose Valenzuela. But the Dominican did not read the script, knocking out the favourite in three shocking rounds. Valenzuela has since reigned as the WBA super lightweight champion, which shows the level De Los Santos can reach.

Davis goes from being a fixture of Stevenson’s undercards to defending a world title against one of his former opponents. Now Davis takes the same top billing as his fellow Olympian. 

Many will look at the parallels and wonder if we will ever see the two lightweight champions fight. Right now, the pair insist we will not. But long-time boxing aficionados will remember ex-pals Floyd Mayweather and Zab Judah clashing in an ill-tempered 2006 battle. For now though, Davis’ immediate concern is remaining the WBO lightweight champion.

Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos Full Card

Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos

Abdullah Mason vs. Jeremia Nakathila

Kelvin Davis vs. Nahir Albright

Tiger Johnson vs. Janelson Bocachica

Troy Isley vs. Etoundi Michel William

Keon Davis vs. Michael Velez-Garcia 

Euri Cedeno vs. Abel Mina

Deric Davis vs. Naheem Parke

Patrick O'Connor vs. Marcus Smith

Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos Prediction

Davis has a real buzz about him. Knockouts over Jose Pedraza, Anthony Yigit, Gustavo Lemos and Berinchyk have ticked the last box. One wonders if a hot prospect can carry their power over to fights with world-ranked fighters. Davis has shown the pop remains in his shots even against the best opposition.

De Los Santos is another quality name. He has never been stopped either. But Stevenson is not a puncher. Davis appears to be one. 

De Los Santos is a tough customer and belongs in another world title fight, even if he probably should have had to win a couple of fights post-Stevenson to get one.

Like with Berinchyk, I just feel like Davis is better in every area again. The champion can plant his feet and throw with power, a strategy William Foster III used in De Los Santos’ only other pro defeat. Davis is also quick and defensively sound, a combination of attributes that saw Stevenson over the line against the same opponent.

I think Davis is going to put on another show. I can see De Los Santos lasting a little longer than Berinchyk, which is why I like our Price Boost here. Davis in rounds 7-12 if up from 11/4 to 7/2 and is well worth taking advantage of. 

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