Top Rank needs another option for Keyshawn Davis’ first defense of his WBO lightweight title on June 7 in his hometown Norfolk, Virginia. Their original target, Edwin de Los Santos, rejected the offer.
It is unclear whether the top rank will increase the financial offer to De Los Santos (16-2, 14 COs) or continue to another opponent. It is alleged that the offer is $ 200,000.
Searching for an enemy
Keyshawn talked about the will of Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz next after caught the WBO 135-pound on February 14 against Denys Berinchyk. He has since been quiet about the fight against Pitbull, which means there was no interest from the popular Mexican fighter.
Top rank can always bring #1 WBO Raymond Muratalla or #1 WBC Andy Cruz for KeyShawn’s battle on June 7, but that is unlikely. They try their best to become Keyshawn in a superstar, and to fit him against Andy Cruz or Muratalla can ruin their goals.
Keyshawn is a good fighter, but he was injured by weaker fighters than Muratalla, and he has lost four times against Cruz in the amateurs. He openly wants no part of the fight against Cuban Olympic gold medalist Cruz in 2020. Top rank doesn’t want to see him lose. Davis is carefully linked by them.
De Los Santos has not fought in two years since his loss of Shakur Stevenson on November 16, 2023. It is understandable why he will hesitate to accept less than he feels that he is worth going against a fighter like Keyshawn, who would fight in his hometown.
If you are dismissal of two years, fight against what is essentially a welterweight, and to have a large pro-Davis crowd, De Los Santos would put in an almost involuntary situation. You cannot blame him for rejecting the offer to him. He will harm his marketability if he lost to Keyshawn. Fans would not mind fighting a much larger man in his hometown, with a two -year discharge.
In Davis’s fight on November 8 last year against Gustavo Lemos in the Scope Arena in Norfolk, he pulled a crowd of 10,000. Keyshawn must make good money at that gate.
Plan B required
Tevin Farmer This is a good option for Keyshawn to fight on June 7, but he may be a little too tough because he can hit. The shots with which the farmer hit William Zepeda in their rematch would be dangerous for Keyshawn.
“Top rank is looking for a new rival for Keyshawn Davis on June 7 in Norfolk, Virginia, after Edwin de Los Santos, with whom they already had an oral agreement, rejected the last economic offer,” Salvador Rodriguez said X.
Last updated on 04/08/2025
