When the announcement came that the Tokyo, Japan Summer Olympics were going to be delayed until 2021, one of the United States' best hopes for a boxing gold medal -- Keyshawn Davis of Alexandria, VA -- had a decision to make: whether to continue his Olympic dream or turn professional.
Davis has made his decision. He will keep his Olympic Dream alive and turn pro after making a potential 2021 appearance. Davis said he turned down numerous pro offers in order to make a run to qualify for the Tokyo games.
“Looking at the bigger picture, I felt it was a better decision for me,” said Davis, a world silver medalist in the lightweight division. “I get a chance to develop myself, even more, gaining a bigger platform going into the Olympics. I’ll be just that bigger of a fighter. Coming out [going pro in 2021], I should be a bigger star than I was going to be [in 2020].”
Back in March, it looked like Davis was leaning towards turning pro. However, the stoppage of the pro boxing scene due to the coronavirus had an impact on his decision. Davis won a silver medal at the World Championships in 2019, the highest finish for a United States male boxer since 2007. No US boxer has won an Olympic medal since Andre Ward took gold in 2004. Davis will try to qualify for the Olympics once events warrant.
