June 7: Kelvin Davis vs Nahir Albright Added to Loaded Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos Card!
(April 30th) Kelvin “Nite Nite” Davis looks for a measure of family retribution when he fights crafty contender Nahir “Woo” Albright in a 10-round junior welterweight bout on Saturday, June 7, in front of his hometown fans at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
Davis-Albright paces the undercard on a bill headlined by Kelvin’s younger brother, Keyshawn Davis, defending his WBO lightweight world title against Edwin De Los Santos. Keyshawn fought Albright in October 2023 in Rosenberg, Texas, initially winning a majority decision before a positive post-fight marijuana test overturned the verdict to a no-contest.
Keyshawn-De Los Santos and Mason-Nakathila will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The undercard will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Sampson Boxing, tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.
“Albright is a good opponent for this point in my career, but he can’t hang with us,” Davis said. “He thinks he accomplished something with Keyshawn by taking him 10 rounds, but I’m here to show him he can't play with the Davis name.”
Davis (15-0, 8 KOs), a 6-foot-1 southpaw, turned pro in December 2020 and signed with Top Rank the following year. He went 3-0 last year, warming up the capacity crowd at Scope Arena in November when he knocked down Yeis Solano in the eighth round of a unanimous decision victory. Davis kept busy in March with a fourth-round KO over 33-fight veteran Jose Marruffo. Albright (16-2, 7 KOs) has never been stopped as a pro and holds a July 2023 victory over 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas. Less than three months after besting Balderas, he gave Keyshawn the most challenging fight of his pro career.
In other ESPN+-streamed undercard action:
Dominican middleweight knockout artist Euri Cedeno (11-0-1, 10 KOs) aims to extend his KO streak to five when he faces Ecuador’s Abel Mina (18-3-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Cedeno represented his homeland at the Tokyo Olympics and already has six first-round knockouts on his ledger.
Cleveland-born welterweight Tiger Johnson (15-0, 7 KOs) returns in a 10-rounder against an opponent to be named. Johnson was a highly decorated amateur who turned pro in November 2021 after representing Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics.
Middleweight contender Troy Isley (14-0, 5 KOs) will face Etoundi Michel William (16-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Isley hails from Alexandria, Virginia, and hopes a win over William in front of the home state fans propels him to a world title shot later this year.
Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis has his scope set on a successful title defense.
Davis will defend his WBO lightweight crown in a homecoming spectacle against Dominican knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos on Saturday, June 7, at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
In the 10-round lightweight co-feature, Cleveland’s Abdullah Mason faces the most recognizable name of his career in upset-minded Namibian puncher Jeremia Nakathila.
Undercard action includes Keyshawn’s older brother, Kelvin Davis (15-0, 8 KOs), in a 10-rounder at junior welterweight, while his younger brother, Keon Davis (2-0, 1 KO), sees action in a six-rounder at welterweight. Together, the Davis Brothers are known as DB3.
Middleweight contender Troy Isley (14-0, 5 KOs), Keyshawn’s Olympic teammate and a native of Alexandria, Virginia, hopes to continue his world title march in a 10-rounder against an opponent to be named.
“Keyshawn Davis is a generational talent, someone who is a tremendous representative for Norfolk and the Seven Cities,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Keyshawn is always asking for the most dangerous opposition, and Edwin De Los Santos qualifies as such. He’s a worthy contender intent on silencing another passionate, sold-out crowd at the historic Scope Arena.”
Keyshawn (13-0, 9 KOs) was already a contender coming off last July’s one-sided decision over Miguel Madueño. He showed he was one of the sport’s top hometown ticket-sellers that November when he faced Argentina’s former No. 1 world-rated contender, Gustavo Lemos, in Norfolk's biggest boxing event since the late Pernell Whitaker fought Buddy McGirt 30 years prior. Despite Lemos being more than six pounds overweight, Keyshawn knocked him out in the second round in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,568. Following the Norfolk coronation, Keyshawn earned the WBO No. 1 ranking and challenged then-champion Denys Berinchyk on Feb. 14 in New York City. He knocked out Berinchyk in the fourth round, capturing his first world title four days before the 36th anniversary of Whitaker winning the IBF lightweight title over Greg Haugen in Hampton, Virginia. Whitaker made his inaugural title defense by knocking out Louie Lomeli at Scope Arena. Keyshawn now has another opportunity to follow in Whitaker’s footsteps.
“Norfolk and the Seven Cities, get ready for another spectacular show,” Keyshawn said. “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.”
De Los Santos (16-2, 14 KOs) had an extensive amateur career of roughly 265 bouts before turning pro in 2018. He was 13-0 with 12 knockouts while fighting in his homeland before making his American debut in January 2022. De Los Santos lost his ‘0’ with a split decision loss to William Foster III, but he closed that year with knockout victories over a pair of then-unbeaten contenders: Luis Acosta and Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela. De Los Santos took the Valenzuela fight on short notice and knocked out the heavy favorite in round three of a Fight of the Year contender. After a one-sided decision over Joseph Adorno in July 2023, he earned a shot against Shakur Stevenson that November for the vacant WBC lightweight world title. In the most competitive fight of Stevenson’s career, De Los Santos lost a unanimous decision by scores of 116-112 2x and 115-113.
De Los Santos said, “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.”
Mason (18-0, 16 KOs) is now a world-ranked contender following a pair of one-sided knockouts to begin his 2025 campaign. He shined on the Berinchyk-Keyshawn undercard, stopping the usually durable Manuel Jaimes in four rounds. Mason produced a show-stopping sixth-round TKO over Carlos Ornelas on April 5 in Las Vegas.
Nakathila (26-4, 21 KOs) made his American debut in June 2021, losing a 12-round decision to Shakur Stevenson for an interim junior lightweight world title. Nine months later, he forced former world champion Miguel Berchelt to retire on his stool following round six. Following two defeats in 2023, Nakathila returned to winning ways in 2024, going 3-0 with two knockouts in Namibia.
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Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis
Set For Homecoming Title Defense Against
Edwin De Los Santos At Norfolk's Scope Arena!
(April 18th) Norfolk's Keyshawn Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) is ready for another raucous homecoming. The WBO lightweight world champion will defend his title against Dominican puncher Edwin De Los Santos (16-2, 14 KOs) on Saturday, June 7, at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
Keyshawn snatched the title from fellow Olympic silver medalist Denys Berinchyk in February with a savage fourth-round finish. Today, the homecoming king returned to host a kickoff press conference at Attucks Theatre, a 15-minute walk from where he’ll make his inaugural defense.
He was joined by Norfolk mayor Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander, as well as the two other members of DB3.
Kelvin Davis (15-0, 8 KOs), the eldest of the fighting trio, will return in a 10-round junior welterweight bout, while the youngest, Keon Davis (2-0, 1 KO), will see action in a six-round welterweight scrap. Both are set to return on the ESPN+-streamed undercard.
This is what the Davis Brothers and Mayor Alexander had to say at Friday's press conference.
Keyshawn Davis
“It’s a blessing. Everything from Lemos, I think, really kickstarted the next level in my career. It definitely kickstarted it. From how our people supported the event. From how it turned out. And, of course, the knockout. It definitely kickstarted my career and going into winning the world title with an amazing performance and bringing it back here for the summertime. It’s about to get lit!”
“Norfolk brings that type of energy. There’s something in the water out here. Once we’re all together and we have that atmosphere going again, it’s going to be an amazing event. It’s going to be an amazing event because we are amazing people.”
When Asked To Send A Message to Edwin De Los Santos:
“You see how we get down out here. You’re in for a ride. I hope you’re ready. So get ready.”
Kelvin Davis
“I’m here to stay. I’m coming for the belts. Everyone at 140, I’m definitely coming for them. Keep my belts warm because I’m going to collect.”
“I’m ready. These guys, they’re just baby food. I’m ready for the big boy food. These guys at 140 play hot potato with the belts. I’m ready to come get them.”
“We’re coming for all of them at 140. I’m not ducking nobody. We’re coming for it.”
Keon Davis
“It was great performing in Norfolk for my first fight. I’m going to think about it for the rest of my career. A lot of people showed up. It was great for me.”
“This time we’re going to put a stamp on it. The second time around is going to be a lot better. This is part two.”
Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander
“It means the world to the city. We’re so proud of Keyshawn, Kelvin and Keon, not only for what they are doing for their family and themselves, but also for what they are doing for the sport and the city. We’re just thrilled that they are homegrown and that they continue to give back each and every day to our city.”
“DB3 are the complete package. They are great citizens. They are great young men. And, more importantly, they are great individuals and they are fun to be around. It’s exciting to watch them and to know what they are going to do. They are going to impact lives with their spirit of giving back to the community.”
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Known for creating strategic collaborations between athletes, sponsors, and television networks, Top Rank has been an architect of boxing’s global growth by staging high-profile events in landmark settings around the world, including Madison Square Garden, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Staples Center, Wembley Arena, Araneta Coliseum, The Venetian Macao, Yankee Stadium, Radio City Music Hall, The “Fabulous” Forum, and AT&T Stadium. Top Rank has also been the leader within the boxing industry in creating unforgettable in-arena experiences for fans and embracing 21st century technological advancements to distribute world-class fights and shoulder programming across a variety of platforms.
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