July 23, 2023 Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma - Lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis (9-0, 6 KOs) passed the stiffest test of his career in beating Belgian contender Francesco Patera (28-4, 10 KOs) with a ten round unanimous decision by scores of 100-89 2x and 99-90.
The 24-year-old native of Norfolk, Virginia, took his time to analyze Patera, feinting and cutting the ring before landing short, crisp combos when he had Patera on the ropes.
In rounds five and six, Davis decreased his punching output, and Patera attempted to claw his way into the fight. But in round eight, the Olympic silver medalist dropped Patera with a sharp right hand. Patera, who was down for the first time in his pro career, did not appear to be seriously hurt and resumed the fight with few issues. Davis had promised to become the first boxer to knock Patera out, but it was becoming obvious that the veteran was not going anywhere. Davis remained calm and outboxed Patera into the final rounds, but it wasn't always easy with Patera willing to fight fire with fire at times and coming forward with combinations when Davis' output would go down.
Davis said, “I give myself a C+ or B-. But like I said, we got the win, and that’s all that matters. I can’t really be too hard on myself if I don’t stop these guys because they have way more experience than me. But, at the end of the day, I am beating them unanimously in every round. I just got to take my hat off for just doing the little things like that, sticking to my game plan, listening to my coaching and just having fun in there."
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