Keyshawn Davis vs Gustavo Lemos To Headline a Potentially Stacked ESPN Card

The Keyshawn Davis era is officially underway at Top Rank.

With the departure of Terence “Bud” Crawford and Shakur Stevenson, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the future of their mercurial star, Teofimo Lopez, Top Rank has turned to Keyshawn Davis to lead the company into their next phase. Davis (11-0, 7 KOs) is set to headline an ESPN telecast on November 8 in his hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. Top Rank is looking for a new network deal, as they have less than a year left on their current ESPN contract. Davis, who is headlining his first ESPN card, is the face of the new generation of talent at Top Rank and what they hope will be, an enticing attraction for a potential network suitor.

Davis, a rising star in the lightweight division, will face off against the tough Argentine title contender, Gustavo Lemos (29-1, 16 KOs). The bout is expected to be a significant test for Davis as he continues his ascent in the sport, aiming to solidify his position as a future title challenger and boxing superstar.

Davis, known for his slick boxing skills and impressive power, has quickly established himself as one of the most promising young fighters in the sport. His perfect record of 11 wins, including 7 knockouts, has generated considerable excitement among boxing fans. He is coming off of a July victory over Miguel Madueno in front of a very pro-Davis New Jersey crowd. A win over Lemos would be a major step forward in his career, potentially positioning him for a title shot in the near future.

Lemos, a seasoned fighter with a reputation for being durable and aggressive, will not be an easy opponent. His only career loss came via a controversial decision against Richardson Hitchins in a tough contest that many observers thought Lemos won. Davis’ technical prowess, toughness and precision will need to be on full display in this huge step-up fight. Lemos’ relentless pressure should make for an intriguing and competitive main event.

The chief support for Davis was expected to feature a WBO welterweight title defense by Brian Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) against Puerto Rican slugger Derrieck Cuevas (27-1-1, 19 KOs). That fight is now up in the air, as Norman is in deep negotiations for a unification title bout against IBF champion, Jaron “Boots” Ennis. The Ennis bout is obviously a bigger opportunity for Norman and Top Rank has signed off on making that bout instead.

However, the card will still be bolstered by the inclusion of two other rising stars. Ring Magazine’s Jake Donovan reported that Abdullah Mason (15-0, 13 KOs) and Troy Isley (13-0, 5 KOs) are both expected to appear in separate bouts. Mason, a highly-touted prospect with an impressive 13 knockouts in 15 fights, is reportedly set to face Yohan Vasquez (26-5, 21 KOs), according to KeepIt100Boxing. Mason, who will be fighting for the fifth time this year, has been on an absolute tear in his 2024 campaign.

Isley, an Olympian and a key prospect in the weak middleweight division, will look to continue his string of impressive performances. His opponent is yet to be announced.