Former world champ Keyshawn Davis is ready to fight again in his hometown for a main event that is the latest attempt to restart his promising career.
Keyshawn Davis is heading back to his hometown of Norfolk, Virginia, determined to make a statement of redemption. And, at the same time he looks to finish some unfinished business.
The former world champion and Olympic Silver Medalist will face Nahir Albright in a 12-round junior welterweight rematch next Saturday, May 16th, in the Top Rank Boxing main event at Scope Arena.
The 27 year old Davis, 14-0, 10 KOs, was on the fast track to stardom and much bigger paydays, when he won the WBO lightweight title in February 2025 with a dominant fourth-round stoppage of Denys Berinchyk.
However, he had a planned homecoming title defense against Edwin De Los Santos was canceled after he badly missed the lightweight limit by over 4 lb. He was stripped of the world championship the day before, but then later got into an altercation the locker room area with Albright the next night.
Davis had won a previous bout with Albright in October 2023 but failed the post-fight drug test for marijuana and the result was turned to a "no contest."
His actions in trying to fight Albright (outside the ring) after embarrassingly cancelling his own main event, left many wondering, if Davis was really focused on being a great fighter and every going to get back on track?
Earlier this year, he rebounded impressively at the new 140 lb. weight by stopping veteran Jamaine Ortiz.
Davis spoke from his training camp earlier this week about getting another chance at Albright (in the ring) and doing it front of his hometown,
“Man, fighting in my hometown is always exciting. I’ll be walking out and seeing teachers who used to teach me in middle school and stuff. My whole family comes down from New York. I got family in D.C., and of course my family in Virginia. So it’s always exciting.”
On the pressure to deliver after his last, big fight at home got cancelled?
“I don’t understand why people say it’s harder for them to fight in their hometown. I don’t understand it. I’ve traveled the world and fought in different countries where the crowd was against me, and I still went out there and won. So fighting in my hometown is so much more comfortable. I feel like my best performances come from fighting in my hometown, and I just can’t wait to do it all over again.”
Meanwhile, for his part the Philly native Albright, 17-2-1, 7 KOs, enters the rematch with confidence after defeating Keyshawn's older brother, Kelvin Davis and earning a draw against Frank Martin.
Davis commented on Albright saying in the buildup that he's ready to ruin Davis' night and future plans,
They’re supposed to promote themselves. I don’t want an opponent who’s going to go in there and just lay down. In every fight I have, they should be coming confident, ready and prepared. So, he’s saying all the right things.”
“I know what I need to do. I know what I need to do to get prepared. I’m a better Keyshawn now. I’m not up-and-coming any more. I’m a former world champion. And it’s going to show on May 16.”
Can the talented Davis stay out of trouble? How will he look against the proud Albright, who has plenty of motivation to pull an upset?
The Keyshawn-Albright II battle will mark the debut of Top Rank Boxing's new broadcast deal with DAZN and will stream beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern