Undefeated Keon Papillion makes 2022 debut this Saturday

Keon Papillion,(5-0, 4 KOs), a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, is undefeated after turning pro in February of 2020. Getting 5 bouts in over the last year and a half isn’t too bad considering he started to punch for pay right as the Covid pandemic hit.

On Saturday, August 27, he returns to the ring for his first bout of 2022, to hopefully keep the winning streak alive and continue to build the Papillion name. If the surname rings a bell to fight fans, they might be thinking of his father Jason Papillion, a very good welterweight contender who challenged Ronald “Winky” right for the IBF welterweight title a couple of decades ago.

While every boxer likes to forge their own path, especially out of the shadow of their father, Keon can certainly learn a few things from his dad who faced the likes of Kasim Ouma and Bronco McKart, along with Wright, among others, over a 56-bout career. This foundation isn’t lost on the younger Papillion either as he stated in a previous interview, “My dad was a professional; he was ranked number three at one time. So, I’m just trying to do what I can to follow in his footsteps”.

The last time Keon, then 23, chatted with MaxBoxing, he had just gotten his (successful) debut under his belt and was looking forward to the next steps in his career. At that time, he described his debut as “exciting” and “exhilarating”. While still in the developing stages of his career, the now 25-year-old has had a few more fights and is excited to be in the ring for his first outing of this year.

Papillion, who can box and punch, best describes himself as a “boxer-puncher”. He has always had big goals for his career in boxing. While his goal is to one day win a world title, his ultimate goal is to win titles from middleweight up to heavyweight.

MaxBoxing caught up with the friendly, well-spoken Louisiana native to chat about his upcoming bout and where he sees himself 18 months into his career.

“Things are good”, said Papillion. “I have always had more of a pro-style than I did amateur, so I fit into the pro’s well. I have a few fights under my belt now, so I feel comfortable in there. Just like another day at the gym”, he continued.

This being his first fight in a year, only a few minutes from home, his fan base should be out in full force.

“Yeah, I’d like to be busier, but we have had like 3 or 4 fights fall out, but that’s boxing. But, when the fans hear that I’m not on the card they are upset, I draw well here so it’ll be great to get out in front of them again. We are fighting in Youngsville, only about 10 minutes down the road”.

And, into his second year as a pro, closing in on half a dozen fights, what does he see developing as far as his individual style?

“You know, I don’t go in there looking to box or slug, I just go in there looking to do whatever I need to get the job done. You have to adjust as the fight goes, so that’s what I do. I go in there to get the win, anyway, I can; whatever I need to do to get the victory”.