Davis destroys Lemos in 2nd-round KO, world title shot likely next
Isley wins snoozer; Mason stops Vasquez in electrifying shootout; Kelvin and Keon Davis score dominant victories
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In a brilliant homecoming performance, lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis showed star power in destroying the much bigger Gustavo Lemos in a crushing second-round knockout victory on Friday night that likely will propel him into a world title fight in early 2025.
Davis, who has dreamed about fighting at home, put on a tremendous performance as he scored three knockdowns in his first main event and his first professional fight in his hometown of Norfolk Virginia, where a sold-out crowd of 10,568 filled the Scope Arena for the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ card.
It was the biggest boxing event in the city since the late, great Norfolk native Pernell Whitaker outpointed fellow Hall of Famer Buddy McGirt to retain the WBC welterweight title at the same arena on Oct. 1, 1994.
Thirty years later, it was Davis who packed the arena and dazzled the way his idol Whitaker, who died in 2019 and had for a time trained Davis when he was an amateur, did so often during his 10 fights at the Scope.
“Since I’ve been a professional I can definitely say this has been a marquee night,” Davis said. “Not only did I put on an amazing performance (younger brother) Keon Davis put on an amazing performance, (older brother) Kelvin Davis put on an amazing performance, (2020 Olympic teammate) Troy Isley put on an amazing performance, and I closed the show.”
Did he ever.
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