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Keyshawn Davis once again powered his way to victory.
This one takes him all the way to the medal round.
Long regarded as the U.S. men’s team’s best shot at winning, Davis is now one fight away from fighting for that prize. The 22-year-old southpaw advanced to the semifinal round of the Tokyo Olympics following a split decision win over Gabil Mamedov (ROC).
Davis won on four of the five scorecards (29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29) to become the first U.S. lightweight to medal since Terrance Cauthen won Bronze in 1996 Atlanta. Mamedov was rocked by a right hand midway through round three, a frame which Davis swept to secure the win.
Davis—who is joined by Duke Ragan, Richard Torrez Jr. and Oshae Jones at the medal table—will next face Armenia’s Hovhannes Bachkov on August 6 in the semifinal round. Bachkov advanced following a decision win over Uzbekistan’s Elnur Abduraimov.
Less than three months ago, Davis wasn’t even supposed to be a part of the U.S. Olympic boxing team competing in Tokyo. After failing to report to training camp in January which resulted in his removal from the team, a change in the qualification process provided the loophole to return.
Davis has dazzled audiences ever since, beginning with his win over Enrico La Cruz in the Round of 32. It was his sensational 2nd round stoppage of number-one seed Sofiane Oumiha in the Round of 16 that truly turned heads.
That level of power was required to turn the tide against a determined Mamedov, who sought to add to the ROC men’s boxing team’s Olympic-leading 14 wins. Davis jumped out to an early lead but found himself fending off Mamedov throughout round two, with the fight even on four of the five scorecards.
That changed in a hurry, courtesy of a monster right hand midway through round three. Mamedov was visibly stunned, with Davis ready to move in to close the show until the referee intervened to issue a standing eight count. Mamedov was given the green light to continue but was physically manhandled the rest of the way, including being shoved to the canvas after a clumsy clinch.
Davis provides the U.S. boxing team with its fourth overall medal and three for the men’s team. Both figures mark the best haul for any U.S. Olympic team since 2000 Sydney.
On the other side of the bracket is one of the few fighters in the world whom Davis has yet to beat.
Andy Cruz advanced to the semifinal round following a strangely scored split decision win over Wanderson de Oliveira (Brazil). One judge had the bout scored 29-28 in favor of de Oliveira, with Cruz pulling a clean sweep (30-27) on the four cards that ultimately advance him in the lightweight bracket.
The win helped turn things around for Cuba who had lost two bouts earlier Tuesday. Cruz provides his country with its fifth medal in Tokyo, while maintaining status as the greatest threat to deny Davis of Gold.
The reputation is well-earned as Cruz owns three prior wins over Davis, most recently in the final round of the 2019 World Amateur Championships.
Cruz will first have to get past the winner of Zakir Safiullan (Kazakhstan) and Harry Garside (Australia), who are currently in the ring.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox