There are so many nicknames across boxing, many of them silly or way beyond the fighter’s actual stature in the sport.
But Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis chose a more understated moniker.
And he lives up to it.
That’s why the 25-year-old former Team USA Olympic silver medalist wanted to treat his first world title fight just like any other.
Davis (12-0, 8 KOs) will square off with 36-year-old Denys Berinchyk as the main event of Top Rank’s card Friday night (9 p.m. Eastern, ESPN) at the Theater at Madison Square Garden for the latter’s WBO lightweight belt.
“It means I’m fighting another fight,” Davis told The Post. “Honestly, a lot of things in this sport I don’t really take in until after the fact. I can’t be like ‘Oh my gosh, I’m fighting for a world title at MSG and I’m the main event.’ I can’t do none of that because it’s nothing but a distraction.
“I’m taking it like it’s another fight, because it is another fight. I’ve been fighting all my life. After I win that world title, then I can take in everything I just did and what I’ve been through. Just living in the moment.”
Davis is certainly confident in himself and his abilities.
But he doesn’t enjoy the over-the-top trash talk that is common with most boxing stars.
It’s just not his style.
“Everything in this sport, I don’t take nothing personally,” Davis said. “Like at all. I really don’t. When we talk trash, I never deliberately disrespect a fighter. I never bring up people’s families or anything like that. I always just keep it boxing. … I just move level-headed.
“I always say an emotional fighter is a dead fighter.”
But that’s what makes this bout so intriguing beyond the stakes at hand.
This time, Davis actually is taking it personally.
He alleged on Wednesday that Berinchyk’s team sent a package with bananas and watermelons to his hotel room, which Davis said he took as a racist taunt.
“I want to address the fact that this guy came to America to give me bananas and a watermelon with a note on it,” Davis said. “It’s unprofessional, and I feel like it’s racist. And you just made this fight a little more personal. This man brought a box of bananas and a watermelon to America to bring to my room. I took it as racist. So, I got something for you.
“Y’all did it. It’s OK that ya’ll did it. I’m going to whoop your ass for it. Just know what’s coming Friday night.”
Berinchyk denied sending the package and suggested it was a random fan looking to cause trouble.
But Davis’ mindset has changed regardless.
For someone who has made it a point to remove emotions from his craft, how will he handle himself now fighting angrily?
And as much as he wants to ignore it, the lure of his first world title is hard to overlook.
Time for Davis to truly be “The Businessman.”
