Fans Rip WBO For Ranking Keyshawn Davis #1 At 140

The WBO’s decision to install Keyshawn Davis at #1 at 140 is being highly criticized by fans this week.

They view this move by the WBO as essentially rewarding Keyshawn (13-0, 9 KOs) for his unprofessionalism in missing weight on Friday, June 6, 2025, and being stripped of his WBO lightweight title after coming in at 139.3 lbs for what was supposed to be a defense against Edwin De Los Santos. The fight was cancelled.

The 140-Pound Bypass Scandal

Giving Davis a #1 ranking over previously ranked #1 Alfredo Santiago at light welterweight makes the WBO look bad in the eyes of fans.

Reasons why Keyshawn shouldn’t be ranked #1

• No experience at 140: Keyshawn is being vaulted over established light welterweights in the WBO’s rankings, like Alberto Puello, Jamaine Ortiz, Isaac Cruz, Lindolfo Delgado, and Ernesto Mercado.
• WBO looks unprofessional: Moving Keyshawn to #1 without earning the position, missing weight, being stripped, and his involvement in an altercation.
• Bypassing the merit system: Davis petitioned himself for the WBO’s #1 spot at 140 instead of working his way through the ranks the hard way like other contenders. His fast-tracked ranking at #1 undermines the purpose of the merit system. Moreover, it gives the appearance to fans of Keyshawn being shown favoritism.

The Contenders He Should Have Faced

Ideally, the WBO should have insisted that Keyshawn go through a two-to-three-fighter gauntlet of the guys to earn the #1 spot in their 140 rankings: Alberto Puello, Jamaine Ortiz, and Ernesto Mercado. If Keyshawn refused to fight them or if he lost, he should have been ranked at the rock bottom of the WBO rankings at #15. That’s how I would have done it.

Could Mercado or Ortiz Expose Him?

As bad as the Norfolk, Virginia native Davis looked in his four losses to Cuba’s Andy Cruz in the amateurs. I don’t think he would beat Mercado, Puello, Jamaine, or even Arnold Barboaza Jr.

What ‘The Businessman’ Keyshawn has had going for him since he turned pro in 2021 with Top Rank is careful matchmaking and his massive size for the 135-lb division. Now that he’s fighting at 140, the size advantage disappears somewhat, and he’s not going to be able to maneuver around opposition for long if his goal is to fight for the WBO’s title.

Is Keyshawn Really Ready for 140?

At 140, Keyshawn’s career could quickly get torched when he faces Mercado, Richardson, Hitchins, Gary Antuanne Russell, Subriel Matias, and Teofimo. Those are just a few of the names that could ruin Top Rank’s hard work of building Keyshawn.

WBO’s Updated 140 ranking

1. Keyshawn Davis
2. Alfredo Santiago
3. Isaac Cruz
4. Lindolfo Delgado
5. Alberto Puello
6. Arnold Barboza Jr.
7. Oscar Duarte
8. Aram Faniian
9. Jose Carlos Ramirez
10. Hendri Cedeno
11. Jamaine Ortiz
12. Jack Rafferty
13. Antonio Moran
14. Ernesto Mercado
15. Joo Young Kim