Ortiz finishes Davis’ face-down routine at weigh-in

Davis dismissed the altercation afterward, calling it “acting” and suggesting he was already in Ortiz’s head. That response fits a familiar pattern. Davis often treats facial expressions as performance, relying on small physical cues to control space and attention. This time it didn’t land. Ortiz shut it down on contact.

The visual contrast only accentuated that point. Davis appeared at the weigh-in wearing a ski mask covering his head and face, leaving only his eyes visible. It was an odd choice, especially against an opponent who showed no interest in theatrics. Rather than setting a tone, it created distance, and not the intimidating kind.

Physically, it was a different picture for Davis, too. At lightweight, he usually stood taller and wider than the men opposite him. Here he was standing next to someone his own size, and visibly thicker through the shoulders and chest. Ortiz didn’t look overmatched. He looked comfortable.

Jaron Ennis, who shared amateur rounds with Ortiz, described the fight as a “50 50” match earlier in the day. That assessment matched what played out on the scale. Nothing about the scene suggested imbalance or hierarchy.

Ortiz leaned on it after that. He called the fight personal and promised to finish it in the ring. Davis shrugged it off and reverted to familiar language, insisting that the moment meant nothing and that answers would come on fight night.

They will be at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. But the weigh-in has already given one clear signal. Ortiz drew a streak early, and Davis didn’t move it.