Kyrone Davis is a threat in the middleweight division and it seems like almost everyone knows it.
His is not a name that is often called out, for it represents high risk and low reward. But coming off a career-best win over Elijah Garcia, the 19-3-1 (6 KOs) Garcia faces unbeaten Cuban Yoenli Fernando Hernandez on May 31 in Las Vegas.
Hernandez is 7-0 (7 KOs) and, at 27, possibly entering his peak.
A win, and Davis inches toward a title fight, a loss and he drops back a couple of hurtful rungs on the ladder.
“I’ve learned in my career to treat every fight like it’s just another day,” he said at a media day in Las Vegas to discuss his upcoming bout. “We’re all getting in the ring and risking our lives, but we’re also doing what we love to do. By the time you get in the ring all the hard work is done. “It’s time to have fun and that’s what I’m gonna do in the ring.”
The 30-year-old has been frustratingly inactive since his decision win over Garcia last June, and now is ready to make a splash on a show that Caleb Plant and Jermell Charlo in separate bouts at the top of the bill.
“I think this fight is gonna steal the show,” Davis said of his bout with Hernandez. “I really believe that my opponent is a good fighter. He’s talented and we’re gonna make this the fight of the night. But I will have my hand raised in the end.
“My team has been studying Hernandez. I think I’ve only watched a round or two of his from his last fight. I don’t go too deep into that, because he’s gonna look totally different when he’s in the ring with me. I let my coach do the strategizing.”
Davis works with fellow Philadelphia fight figure Stephen Edwards. “Shut It Down” Davis was born in New Jersey but fights out of Wilmington, Delaware.
And he hopes that the stalled momentum from the Garcia win will continue into Hernandez and beyond.
“I want all the champions at 160-pounds,” he added. “I’m looking at anyone with a belt. I want the best. I believe I’m the best middleweight in the world, and the only way to prove that is to get in the ring with everybody. That’s why I took this fight. They’re hyping this guy up and he’s supposed to be the goods. That’s what they said about Elijah Garcia before I fought him. I’m here to show everyone that I’m the goods.
“We don’t mind taking on challenges. Life is about taking on challenges. It’s about knowing what you’re looking for, honing in on a goal and accomplishing that goal.”
Davis had a couple of years out after a loss to David Benavidez, and before that the only blemishes on his record were a draw with Anthony Dirrell, a loss to the late Patrick Day, and an early career eight-round loss.
“I’ve been taking hard fights my whole career,” Davis explained. “Whether it’s undefeated prospects, top contenders, multiple-division champions, or going up in weight on four weeks’ notice. I’ve beaten the odds and I’ve done what they said I can’t do. It’s prepared me for this moment and it’s gonna keep preparing me for the next step. This is just another day in the park for me. I’m gonna shut it down. That’s what I plan to do.”