If Davis is serious about wanting the fight now, it might mark a pointy change in direction. He has shown no real interest in facing Cruz as an expert. Cruz, meanwhile, has pursued the fight publicly, repeatedly referring to Davis as “my son,” a line meant to underline the imbalance he believes still exists between them.
Taking the fight would represent an actual gamble for Davis, especially together with his attention drifting toward welterweight. He has spoken openly about moving as much as 147 to challenge Devin Haney for the WBO title. For that path to stay open, Davis must first defeat Jamaine Ortiz on January 31 at Madison Square Garden.
Even then, the funds would likely rely upon Riyadh Season backing the concept. A Davis win over Haney would complicate plans for a second fight between Haney and Ryan Garcia, a rematch whose value drops sharply if Haney loses.
“Let’s just say Andy Cruz knocks Muratalla out. Okay, boom, now we will fight,” Davis told The Ring Magazine. “You simply knocked Muratalla out. Forget 147. Let’s see how we will make that fight occur.”
Skepticism is warranted. Davis has all the things to lose against Cruz and nothing in his past meetings suggests the final result would change. He has lost each time they fought, and the margins have widened relatively than narrowed.
None of it matters if Davis fails to get past Ortiz. Many fans see that fight as a toss up. Ortiz looks quicker, throws cleaner combos, and has faced a stronger level of opposition. He has also stayed busier. Top Rank’s careful handling of Davis against lesser opposition may finally meet up with him.
“Right away there’s loads occurring with me and Devin Haney. That’s an enormous fight for me,” Davis said. “Why not go to 147 and fight him?”
He also floated other options, including a bout with newly crowned champion Dalton Smith within the UK. But all of it will depend on January 31. Lose there, and the Cruz talk becomes irrelevant. Win, and Davis still has to make your mind up whether he actually desires to face the one fighter who has at all times had his number.
Video: Andy Cruz vs. Keyshawn Davis, Tokyo 2020 Olympic lightweight final
