Is Keyshawn Davis a potential superstar in the making in an overly crowded lightweight division? That’s what he and the Top Rank believe. The Tokyo Olympics Silver medalist has the flair and charisma to sway the fans and rally them behind him. But the real test begins now, as he continues his ascendency, bolsters his credentials, and takes on more experienced fighters to make his way to the very top. However, standing between his path to stardom is Gustavo Lemos.

The fans will witness this electrifying encounter as the two fighters fight it out on November 8 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, with a potential big fight next as the reward. The winner will rise in the rankings and might insert himself into the title conversation. Before the two take center stage inside the squared circle, let’s have a look at how the two boxers stack up.

Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos: Tale of Tape

Davis has already carved out a separate fanbase with his exceptional technical prowess. His silver medals at the 2019 World Championship and 2020 Olympics have only added to his allure. The 25-year-old has utilized a solid amateur foundation to build his professional record. He boasts of an unblemished record after going through the ropes 11 times till now, leaving the ring with a knockout on 7 of those occasions.

His powerful punches have added another layer of difficulty for his opponents, as suggested by his KO ratio of 63.645%. In addition, the Norfolk native carries the size advantage in the fight, as he stands taller at 5’9″ (175 cm) and carries a reach advantage of 70″ (178 cm). These dimensions will allow him to dictate the pace and control in the bout. This will pose trouble for Lemos, at least on the paper.

Lemos, 28, is the elder of the two and has more fights under his belt. The Argentinian also has a splendid resume to show for his hardships in the ring and his exploits in the ring. He had a perfect record until he met Richardson Hitchins in his last fight and dropped the fight. While he stumbled to 29-1 with 19 KOs, many believed he had done enough to shield his zero and win the IBF title eliminator. But Lemos is back at the drawing board and now wants to start off clean against Davis.

The Buenos Aires native packs power behind his punches, and those might sting on Davis’ skin, as hinted by his KO ratio of 65.52%. But he might take some time to find the rhythm and land his shots effectively. Lemos’ height is only 5’5″ (167 cm), and he might have to punch while looking above, affecting his balance. His reach numbers are not listed anywhere on the internet. Therefore, on paper, Davis holds all the cards and numbers in his favor. But numbers don’t always paint a complete picture.

Prediction: who wins it?

How has Davis impressed so many fans and pundits? He is a skilled operator with sharp defense and quick footwork. He employs jabs to stack up his attacks and control the distance. You add into the mix his heavy-handed punches, and he shapes out to be a well-rounded fighter. However, his recent performances leave something to be desired. His fight with Nahir Albright exposed his vulnerabilities in the later rounds. That’s not it. ‘The Businessman’ also had a similar experience in his controversial career against Miguel Madueno. So, Davis might find it hard to handle Lemos’ aggressive style.

When you look at Lemos, you don’t see a rugged pressure fighter, which he is. He puts relentless pressure and continues to unload punches with all his might while coming forward. ‘El Electrico’ has mastered the art of volume punching and breaking down his opponents over 10 rounds as he targets their bodies. He compensates with power for his size disadvantage and is used to the territory that Davis might put him in.

All Lemos needs to do is neutralize Davis’ movement by cutting the ring effectively, putting pressure, and forcing exchanges where his power punches might come on top, especially when Davis is pushed to the ropes. It will boil down to whether Davis can maintain the distance with his finesse and outbox his foe. You can expect Davis to collect the win, but you shouldn’t be surprised if Davis succumbs to Lemos with a well-executed game plan.

What do you make of this coming fight between Keyshawn Davis and Gustavo Lemos? Who do you think will leave the arena with a win? Let us know in the comments below.