A DISASTROUS week for Keyshawn Davis culminated in violent scenes at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday night.
Davis was set to defend his WBO lightweight title against Edwin De Los Santos in Top Rank’s main event. However, the fight was cancelled after ‘The Businessman’ weighed in 4.3 pounds over the 135lb limit. Under WBO regulations, the champion was stripped of his title, and despite efforts to salvage the bout, De Los Santos’ team withdrew.
The card was reshuffled, with Abdullah Mason versus Jeremia Nakathila elevated to the main event. Mason, now a contender for the vacant WBO lightweight title, could capitalise on Davis’ misfortune if the organisation sanctions a championship bout.
The Davis family remained in the spotlight at the Scope Arena. Welterweight Keon Davis delivered a devastating left hand to Michael Velez-Garcia’s midsection, securing a knockout in the second round of their six-round contest. However, super-lightweight Kelvin Davis, 15-1 (8 KOs), suffered his first professional defeat in a 10-round bout against Nahir Albright, 17-2 (7 KOs), who claimed a majority decision victory.
Albright is no stranger to the Davis family, having faced Keyshawn in October 2023. That 10-round contest ended in a majority decision for Davis, later overturned to a no-contest after he tested positive for marijuana, a banned substance in Texas. Davis also served a 90-day suspension, backdated to the fight date.
Tensions boiled over after Albright’s triumph over Kelvin. In a post-fight interview with ESPN’s Mark Kriegel, the 29-year-old Philadelphian alleged he was ‘jumped’ by Keyshawn and Keon Davis in a backstage locker room. Albright appeared with a visible bump above his right eye, which he attributed to the altercation.
‘They started walking up to me, all tough, putting [Keyshawn’s] head against mine, and then grabbed me,’ Albright said. ‘I was about to swing, but my team and everybody grabbed Keyshawn. It was crazy.’
‘It’s definitely unfortunate, but it adds fuel to the fire,’ he continued. ‘Keyshawn, you’ve got to run it back with me – in the ring, not outside of it.’
ESPN footage captured parts of the chaotic scene, showing punches and objects thrown in a hallway melee. Norfolk police intervened, escorting Keyshawn Davis from the arena. Albright, undecided on pursuing legal action, expressed a desire to settle the score with Keyshawn in a rematch.
The incident capped a tumultuous weekend for the Davis brothers, known as ‘DB3,’ and cast a shadow over what was meant to be a triumphant homecoming for Keyshawn.
