'I feel like that’s going to be an easy fight': American boxer Keyshawn Davis looks forward to Olympic gold medal bout
TOKYO — American boxer Keyshawn Davis secured himself no less than an Olympic silver medal at the Tokyo Games with a victory on Friday. But he made it clear he expects to win the gold on Sunday.
That’s when Davis will fight Cuba’s Andy Cruz, a two-time amateur world champion, in the lightweight finals.
“I feel like that’s going to be an easy fight,’’ Davis said after his victory over Hovhannes Bachkov of Armenia by unanimous decision, 5-0.
Davis would become the first U.S. men’s boxer to win a gold medal since Andre Ward did it in 2004 – if he can reverse personal history.
Cruz defeated Davis by unanimous decision at the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championship. But Davis on Friday seemed unfazed by that outcome considering two years have passed.
Davis, 23, turned pro in February. He won all three of his fights before rejoining the USA Boxing team he’d been a part of for three years.
“Man, I feel like it’s going to be easier for me,’’ Davis said of his rematch against Cruz, 25. “Like I said, I’m bigger, faster, stronger, smarter.’’
Asked what he has learned while watching Cruz fight here, Davis said, “I learned that he doesn’t have quick feet like he used to have. He stands right in front of you a lot more. And I feel like it works to my advantage because I still use my feet.
“I feel like I’m still quick. I have my speed and power and stuff like that and I’m just more mature, and I feel like him not using his feet works to my advantage.’’
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Although his focus quickly turned to the gold medal match, Davis relished his victory over Bachkov, a two-time European champion.
“All tournament he was walking around with his chest all big, thinking he was the serious, biggest, baddest fighter,’’ Davis said. “I always like to fight the bullies and I (beat) the bully today.’’
At the 2019 world championships, Davis beat Bachkov by split decision, 4-1, to advance to the finals against Cruz.
“When I fought him last time, I remember I exerted all my energy,’’ Davis said. “My chest was burning. I just wanted to go to sleep after the fight. But now, I’m officially strong and stuff like that. I still got my excitement going. I feel good, man.’’
On Friday, Bachkov mostly stalked after Davis to no avail as the American mostly adhered to a stick-and-move strategy. But the fight at times got physical. The referee deducted a point from Davis in the second round and yet the American still emerged with a unanimous victory.
On Sunday, American Richard Torrez Jr. will be fighting in the super heavyweight gold medal match in the last bout of the tournament.