It’s a strange hill to climb when you look at who Davis hangs out with. Ortiz’s style is a mirror image of Shakur Stevenson, the guy Davis calls his “brother” and training partner. It’s an odd look to praise Shakur’s art while acting like Ortiz’s version of it is something he can only steamroller.
“I don’t know how athletic Jamaine is. I haven’t been in the ring with him, I can’t compare him to the guys he’s fought,” Davis said Shawn Porter. “I know I’m (the best in boxing). Teofimo is terrified of me. He doesn’t even want to look me in the eye.”
Lomachenko has a resume that makes Davis’s look like a starter’s set, but Keyshawn isn’t interested in the history books. He completely brushes past the experience difference.
“I’m better than them. Keyshawn is going to go out there and knock Jamaine out, like I promised,” Davis said. “These guys are not on our level.”
The film tells a different story. Ortiz looks faster, hits harder and puts his punches together better than Davis does. Nor did he have the luxury of a protected path. Davis has 13 wins against smaller, older guys. He hasn’t been tested by a real puncher who can force him to stand his ground, although Nahir Albright gave him a serious scare in 2023.
“You’re not going to see me dancing around the ring for a whole 12 round fight. I’m just not going to do that,” Davis insisted.
Davis makes his 140-pound debut against Ortiz this Saturday, Jan. 31, at Madison Square Garden. The fight headlines The Ring 6 card on DAZN PPV. The talk was tough, but the jump in weight means there’s nowhere to hide. If Davis is right about there being “levels” to this, he now has to prove it.
Keyshawn does a lot of heavy lifting with his mouth. He’s essentially betting that his talent can skip the “paycheck” phase of a career. Ortiz is the worst kind of opponent for a guy with that mindset because he’s already been through the fire against the elite names that Keyshawn only talks about. On Saturday, we’ll find out if Keyshawn is a superstar or just a well-protected prospect.
