Keyshawn Davis must put a full stop on unlikely Nahir Albright rivalry

From Norfolk, Virginia,  the region that gave the world Pernell Whittaker, one of the finest boxers of all time, Davis possesses similar aspirations of his city’s hero, a multiple world champion who sadly passed away at the 55 in 2019 when being hit by a car in Virginia Beach. 

Facing Nahir Albright this weekend, family honour is on the line instead of a world title. If Davis is realistic about getting back to the level of the sport he has often displayed he can operate on, the Albright’s of the boxing world, solid campaigners capable of big performances, must be eradicated if the highest platform in boxing is his target. 

In 2023, two years before becoming world champion, Davis and Albright squared off in a fight that was not intended to still be a disturbing feud three years later.

In between that fight and the imminent rematch, Davis has become world champion at lightweight before losing the same belt to the scales when disgustingly weighing in over 4lbs heavy for his first defence against Edwin De Los Santos. 

Philadelphia’s Albright was a stepping stone with nothing resembling Davis’ pedigree, but instead, he provided the overwhelming favourite with a stern test before narrowly losing on the scorecards via majority decision. More drama would follow when the result was changed to a No Contest after Davis tested positive for marijuana.  

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Despite mixed performances and a failed drug test, Davis demonstrated against Denys Berinchyk in 2025 just how excellent he can be with a stunning performance that saw him claim the WBO lightweight crown with a vicious fourth round body shot.  

With his maiden outing after becoming world champion shelved due to his weight issues, his older brother took a rare moment in the spotlight but he was unable to match his brother as he was defeated by Albright before Keyshawn renewed hostilities with his former opponent in a locker room altercation. 

Moving past Albright three years ago has not provided Davis with the platform that victory was intended to give, but the same mistakes cannot be repeated if Davis is victorious this weekend.

Boxing promoters love a back story, a narrative with a hero and villain with the crowd deciding who is who. Davis and Albright have that this weekend, but it is by circumstances rather by design and Davis may be happy to see the back of him once the fight is complete. 

Those close to Davis, and Keyshawn himself, will know world titles in many weight classes are a realistic possibility, as is an assault on the pound-for-pound list that several of his American counterparts currently find themselves on. 

In recent times, Shakur Stevenson has moved through weight classes defeating major names including Teofimo Lopez. Devin Haney is world champion again after dominating Brian Norman. Abdullah Mason is a fighter on the rise who has gone about his work quietly before ruling the world with a solid outing against Sam Noakes last year. What’s stopping Davis from being amongst the same company? 

Saturday must become night zero for Davis. A complete reset against Albright before pushing on and becoming world champion again. The most lucrative names are out there waiting for him if he can show he deserves a shot, but navigating past Albright in style is his immediate priority. 

The Philly nuisance has been a thorn in the Davis family throughout the last few years. If he continues to be one, it’s likely Davis’ endless potential will never be fulfilled. It would be an awful shame if that was allowed to happen.

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