At 135, Keyshawn’s strength set the tone by forcing opponents to think twice about coming forward. He used that respect to drive the pace, but up at junior welterweight he needs to earn that fear again.
The way a fighter manages space depends on the threat they pose. At lightweight, Davis built his professional rise on controlling his opponents with his power. He discouraged pressure with sharp counters and put enough weight on his shots to make opponents feel every mistake.
That respect formed rounds before they were even fully developed. Now Jamaine Ortiz enters the picture to challenge that asset. Ortiz is a natural at this weight, and he’s durable and doesn’t mind taking a shot to return one. If Keyshawn’s punches don’t make Ortiz hesitate, the entire dynamic of the fight changes. We know Keyshawn has the skills. The real curiosity is his effectiveness against bigger bodies.
Power is a tricky thing. Sometimes shots that stop guys in their tracks at lightweight just land cleanly at 140 without changing anything. When this happens, the distance closes, the exchanges get longer, and the rounds become much harder to win.
If Ortiz can eat Keyshawn’s best work and keep walking down, Davis is going to be in deep water. This move up matters because once your body starts growing light, there’s usually no going back. Making the 135-pound limit is clearly becoming more difficult for him, so he needs this strength to translate immediately.
Saturday is a test of strength and fitness. We get to see if Keyshawn can make a real 140 pound second guess himself. He must prove that he can impose himself over twelve rounds without draining his gas tank. We will find out in the ring.
Keyshawn Davis faces Jamaine Ortiz on Jan. 31 as part of the Ring 6 card at Madison Square Garden in New York, streaming on DAZN pay-per-view.
