BY SEAN NAM
Febraury 6, 2024
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Keyshawn Davis feels his life has improved since he cut out the reefer.
In an interview on Cigar Talk, the highly regarded lightweight prospect from Norfolk, Virginia, explained how overcoming his addiction to marijuana has paid off in many ways, most notably in his performance as a fighter.
Davis (9-0, 6 KOs), an Olympic silver medalist, tested positive for marijuana last October after his majority-decision win over Nahir Albright at Ford Center in Rosenberg, Texas. Marijuana is legal in nearly two-dozen states but it remains illegal in Texas, which compelled the commission in the state to change Davis’ win over Albright to a no-decision. The commission also slapped Davis with a 90-day suspension, thus forcing his promoter, Top Rank, to cancel plans for him to face veteran Jose Pedraza on Dec. 9 in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
That fight was rescheduled to this Thursday on the undercard of the Teofimo Lopez vs. Jamaine Ortiz junior welterweight bout at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
“I’ve been through serious mental health [issues],” Davis said of the reason he got hooked on . “Back then before I was even on the [Olympic] team, I used to do things to harm myself. I went to the mental home. I was on medication for my mental health daily. Just throughout that process I was still smoking.”
“Ever since I did put the weed down I’ve been a way better person, man,” Davis continued. “My coaches see— they say that I got way more energy. Even people at the UFC facility (in Las Vegas) I train at, they’re like, ‘I don’t know Keyshawn, there’s just something different about you with this camp. I feel like you just taking it more serious.’ Like I said I had to ask God and reflect on myself to really overcome that addiction.”
Davis credited his religious faith for helping him wean off marijuana.
“It wasn’t until I made a promise to God that I was gonna stop smoking,” Davis said. “I didn’t honor that promise right? Days go past, something don’t feel right. Long story short, I was like, 'yo I just lied to God.' The first chance I got I started smoking. I repented. I really felt bad. Like I really did this. And honestly after I did that God took my urge away. I had an encounter with God, honestly. Ever since that day I repented and really felt bad, I never had the urge again.”
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