KEYSHAWN Davis has an opponent for his first world title defence. The WBO lightweight champion will face Edwin De Los Santos on Saturday, June 7, at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The fight brings the 26-year-old back home, where he fought at the same venue in November 2024, securing a stunning second-round knockout over Gustavo Lemos.
The Davis-De Los Santos matchup has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, but it’s now official. “Norfolk and the Seven Cities, get ready for another spectacular show,” Davis said in a Top Rank press release. “My first main event at Scope Arena was like something out of a movie, and the sequel will be even better. Kelvin and Keon will set the tone, and I’ll make it a 3-0 evening for DB3. Edwin has had a lot to say recently, but he will be awfully quiet after I get through with him on June 7.”
Kelvin and Keon, Keyshawn’s brothers, are at different stages in their boxing careers. Keyshawn, though, earned his WBO title with a scintillating fourth-round knockout over Denys Berinchyk on February 14 this year, solidifying his nickname, ‘The Businessman,’ and cementing his status as one of boxing’s sharpest rising stars.
De Los Santos, a hard-hitting Dominican, has faced elite competition, including a 12-round bout against WBC titleholder Shakur Stevenson in November 2023, where he lost by decision. With other champions like Vasyl Lomachenko and Gervonta Davis in his sights, Keyshawn aims to make a statement by defeating De Los Santos in June.
The challenger, however, believes Davis has underestimated him. “I want to thank Keyshawn Davis for giving me the opportunity to become the WBO champion. Thank you to Top Rank and my promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, as well. It will be a great fight, but Keyshawn has made his first big mistake as a professional by choosing to face me. I will prove how big of a mistake it is on June 7. I will come to Norfolk in perfect shape and looking for a knockout.”
The June 7 undercard features a compelling co-main event. Highly regarded lightweight contender Abdullah Mason faces his toughest test yet against Namibia’s Jeremia Nakathila in a 10-round bout. Nakathila went the full 12 rounds with Shakur Stevenson at super-featherweight in June 2021.
