The gold standard: Is a Keyshawn Davis-Andy Cruz rematch in best interest for Olympic pair?

Andy Cruz isn't just a run-of-the-mill star, though. The hard-hitting Cuban comes from a proud lineage of amateur fighters denied the chance to turn professional.

As one of the leading contenders since the nation lifted its ban on the sport at the top level, the lightweight star has made swift moves across his first six bouts.

It has brought him now, in just his seventh fight, to a world title opportunity, as he bids to dethrone Raymond Muratalla and take his IBF crown at the Fontainebleau.

Pre-fight odds suggest he is the narrow favourite to do so, capping what would be a remarkable rise through the sport's ranks to the top inside less than three years.

That has him firmly on the radar of plenty more lower-division fighters gunning for a shot at him - but perhaps none more so than old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis.

The American has a longstanding rivalry from the pair's amateur days to settle. The pair met four times, including in the Tokyo 2020 lightweight final for Olympic gold.

On each occasion, Cruz claimed victory. continued blows against his opponent's pride. For Davis, he is the man that he has never been able to definitively touch.

Now, with the former in contention for the biggest prizes, the latter wants to roll it back for a shot that he feels could settle the score. But is it a wise idea for either man?

Revenge served hot or cold?

Davis has already aired his desire to take on Cruz once again, especially if he knocks out Muratalla to follow in his footsteps as a major lightweight world champion.

But that comes with complications for the American, whose reign as WBO champion ended in controversy, without a single defence made, after bizarre scenes in June.

Back then, Davis was due to put the crown he had just won from Denys Berinchyk on the line in Virginia against Edwin De Los Santos, a former title challenger himself.

Come the weigh-in, the former blew past the weight limit by four pounds and was stripped of the belt, meaning only his rival could take the crown home from the fight.

(Getty Images)

That didn't even come to pass, too, with the clash ultimately scotched after furious negotiations between both parties resulted in no common ground to be found for them.

Davis promptly announced he would move up to super-lightweight, and - after several months - makes his debut there against Jamaine Ortiz at The Ring 6 next weekend.

That's not all. In recent weeks, the American has been stirring the pot over links to a challenge with Devin Haney, another division above at welterweight, for his WBO title.

That's the wrinkle. Davis can bounce around ideas on whether he'd rather have the Cuban or his countryman up next, and can float the notion of a title shot against either man.

Yet his inability to cut for De Los Santos raises questions over whether he can return to lightweight, let alone should he, while he is yet to prove himself at light-welterweight too.

Moving on or moving up?

For Cruz, the matter is less personal. With four wins already against Davis before they turned professional, there is little incentive to a rematch - unless he has a belt.

That is unlikely, though. Even if the Cuban falls short here, he is unlikely to flee the lightweight division just yet, with other opportunities sure to be floated in his path.

What's more, Davis won't be bringing a major strap to the party any time soon himself. His bout with Ortiz has nothing on the line but a win, a loss, and pride for both men.

The American burned his chance to maintain his status and is unlikely to find much sympathy from his rivals. Cruz will see very little incentive in letting him have a dance.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Of course, should Davis beat Ortiz and move towards a light-welterweight strap - say, Gary Antuanne Russell or Richardson Hitchins - then the game becomes different.

While he may not convince in attempts to return to lightweight, he could well make a name for himself a class above, and perhaps tempt his rival to come and chase him.

Cruz could see the chance of a two-weight reign as too good to turn down, particularly if he believes he has Davis and his number bang to rights once inside the ring.

Muratalla will have plenty to say about this tonight under the bright lights of Sin City, determined that his own reign atop the pile will not be brought to a sudden conclusion.

Now, however, as both men wait to see where the chips will fall, it seems that Davis may not get his wish - and that Cruz may continue to be a thorn in his side as well.

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