NATCHEZ &045; Kelvin &uot;Koncrete&uot; Davis isn’t the most imposing guy at first glance.

The International Boxing Federation cruiserweight world champion stands just five-feet-seven. But a closer look tells a different story. His massive muscles, numerous tattoos &045; including a lightning symbol across his face &045; and a quiet confidence say something about him.

He’s not a man to be messed with.

This week he’s in Natchez to promote his career and build up excitement about a potential fight that could take place in the area next year.

&uot;I’m here, one, to see family,&uot; Davis said. &uot;Two, to show Natchez some respect. This is a place that helped make me who I am today, all those cousins beating up on me.&uot;

Davis spent most of the summers of his childhood in Natchez with family. He has so many relatives in the area he refused to hazard a guess at the total number.

Oscar McNeil, Davis’ uncle and one of his promoters, said noted fight promoter Don King, who represents Davis, had said he would like to have a fight in Natchez if sufficient interest could be generated.

Davis will be at the Natchez Mall at noon Friday to sign autographs, take pictures and sell his T-shirts. He will also put on a shadowboxing demonstration to show the work he does to prepare for a fight.

Davis has swiftly built a reputation as an aggressive, hard-nosed boxer who will come after people.

A number of opponents have found that out the hard way as Davis has beaten them. For his career, Davis is 21-2-1 with 16 knockouts.

&uot;I’m aggressive, I try to knock you out with every punch,&uot; Davis said. &uot;I studied Mike Tyson, Roy Jones, Joe Frazier and took things from them. But Koncrete has his own style. I’m my own person.&uot;

Davis’ next fight is scheduled for Jan. 15 against O’Nell Bell. It’s important for a number of reasons. One, it’s a chance to defend his title against a big-name opponent. But more importantly, Bell beat Davis in their first bout in 2003, something Davis isn’t happy about.

Bell hit Davis while Davis was down in the first fight, but was not penalized. The International Boxing Federation

later ordered Bell to give Davis a rematch.

&uot;Now it’s my chance to fight him again,&uot; Davis said. &uot;That’s more important to me than the world title. I don’t want anybody to think they can beat me.&uot;

During his six-week training regimen to prepare for the fight, Davis works hard.

He’s up at 5 a.m. to do a seven-mile run near his home in Nevada. The run takes him up a hilly course that is between 7,000-10,000 feet above sea level.

In the afternoon, he spars for two hours and then has a workout in the evening with a personal trainer. At 9 p.m., he goes to bed.

Davis had only seven amateur fights before turning professional, a very small number in a sport where fighters often spend years in the amateur ranks before going pro. But he has progressed quickly, becoming a champion less than five years after his first pro bout.

Though his lack of amateur experience has meant a greater learning curve, it’s also come with one important advantage: fewer hits.

&uot;I haven’t had all those extra fights, I haven’t taken as many hits to the head,&uot; Davis said. &uot;Some of those guys, (Mike) Tyson, they’re tired of boxing because of all those years, but I’m still hungry.&uot;

Davis also has plans to bring his training to Natchez. He said he hopes to help young people in the community, including his numerous cousins.

&uot;There’s too many people out there that just need direction,&uot; Davis said. &uot;I want to do things here, be that guiding light. Maybe some kid from Natchez could be on my undercard some day. I was on Roy Jones’ undercard four times.&uot;