Keyshawn Davis’ Reluctance to Face Andy Cruz Stirs Controversy and Raises Questions

Keyshawn Davis worked today when he was reminded by Gervonta Davis’ trainer, Kenny Ellis, about his four straight losses against Cuban talent Andy Cruz at the novice level.

Fans Fear Andy Cruz is Keyshawn’s Kryptonite

Fans believe that Keyshawn is afraid of Andy Cruz and what he stands for. He is a career killer, a star in the sky that can destroy his hopes of making money with his hopes. Cruz has real talent, and he wouldn’t fight the fighters that Keyshawn has looked bad against lately. It’s not clear why Top Rank didn’t get to Cruz before Matchroom.

Despite being repeatedly heralded as 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, Keyshawn (11-0, 7 KOs) has turned down the fight. Today, Keyshawn gave his reasons, saying that Cruz is not “the main event” and “not on my level.”

In Andy Cruz’s three fights as champion, he’s fought better opposition than Keyshawn’s 11 fights.

Obviously there is a reason for that. Top Rank couldn’t rush Keyshawn like Matchroom did with Cruz because he struggled and showed major flaws in his game during his fights.

Keyshawn’s recent performance has not been good. His last match against Miguel Madueno on July 6th saw him overextend, fight, and use roughhouse tactics to limit his high pressure style. The referee failed to punish or warn Keyshawn, but he should have because those tactics played a big role in his victory over Madueno.

There was a rhythm in the crowd at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Last October, Keyshawn was injured by Nahir Albright, and he did not win a ten-round decision in the fight where he pulled out due to the pressure of his opponent.

Talent Diversity and Alignment

After that poor performance, Top Rank backed Keyshawn up against a softer opponent, Jose Pedraza, 35, who hadn’t won a fight in three years and came into the match with an 0-2-1 record. .

It’s pretty clear from watching Andy Cruz’s fights on social media that he’s a much better fighter than Keyshawn could ever hope to be, and he could beat him easily if Top Rank were to pull the trigger on that fight.

They won’t because they will ruin the time they spent on his development. However, Keyshawn hasn’t improved since turning pro, and Top Rank will have to decide for him sooner or later. If the idea is to bring in Keyshawn, make him look better than he is, and build a performance record before taking him out, that might work.

I doubt it will work because Keyshawn doesn’t look good even at the low level he’s facing, his fights don’t generate as much noise from the fans as they should. Keyshawn is becoming an Edgar Berlanga type of fighter, and the fans know what they are watching.

Top Rank should go ahead and throw Keyshawn and Andy Cruz, and cross their fingers that he doesn’t lose a fifth time. The fact that they don’t is telling. There is no faith, and I don’t blame them. Keyshawn is a very limited fighter.

Keyshawn Davis Served Over Andy Cruz’s Reminder

Kenny Ellis: “The Cuban boy lost four times [Andy Cruz]. He turned into a champion, went back, and lost again,” said coach Ellis in MillCity Boxing, talking to Keyshawn Davis about his four defeats against the Cuban talent, Andy Cruz, however he does not want to fight him in the ranks of fame.

“Is there something in your DNA that says, ‘I’ve got to get him right now because he’s calling Tank out. I don’t understand.”

Keyshawn Davis: “Haven’t you seen me talk about this guy in an interview?”

Ellis: “You should be calling him [Andy Cruz] you’re sitting like you’re calling Tank.”

Keyshawn: “No, I don’t deserve it. He [Cruz] it’s a boy. What happens to novices happens to novices. I can’t go back. I can’t go back and fight again. It’s over. Now that I’m moving forward, I’m a man. I continued. I agreed to mine [2020 Olympic] Silver medal [after losing to Andy Cruz for the fourth time].

“Now I’m in a situation where the only reason you know him [Andy Cruz] it’s because of me. If you take me out of it, who knows Andy Cruz? He does not know the big event. What are you doing now? [Answer: Fighting Antonio Moran on August 3rd on His Excellency’s massive card on ESPN+ PPV at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles].

Keyshawn Dismisses Andy Cruz For “Not On My Level”

“He doesn’t make any noise at all. He is not an exciting fighter. He still has to make fun of his bad name when you talk about me. I put in real deal performance from when I first started in this pro game leading up to now.

“He is not at my level, he needs time to improve so that we can fight a bigger fight. You only call my name. He doesn’t call Shakur, Tank, or [Frank] Martin. He doesn’t call any other lightweights besides me.

“I will let him continue to do all this [talk]. Okay, I’m your son. Every time he fights, they call my name throughout the fight. They keep doing it. I’m not tripping over Andy Cruz.”

Ellis: “Do you see how you say it makes no sense? I feel the same way about you and Tank. It doesn’t make sense.”

Keyshawn: “I respect that until I do Frank Martin’s ** in. and it will make sense. The difference between I can actually put these fighters in the ring. This little boy will not know.”