Keyshawn Davis defeated Nahir Albright by unanimous decision on May 16, 2026, at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, to settle a personal rivalry that had simmered for nearly three years. The Norfolk native, known as “The Businessman,” dominated the 12-round super lightweight contest with scorecards of 118-108, 118-108, and 117-109. Despite a significant two-point deduction in the middle rounds, Davis improved his professional record to 15-0 with 10 knockouts.
The victory provides a final resolution to a saga that began in October 2023. Their initial 10-round encounter originally ended in a majority decision for Davis, but the result was later overturned to a no-contest by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation. This decision followed a positive test by Davis for marijuana, which was at the time a banned substance in the state of Texas. The tension between the two fighters remained high after Davis lost his WBO lightweight belt on the scales in June 2025.
The rivalry took on a more personal edge after Nahir Albright, a 30-year-old from Philadelphia, defeated Keyshawn’s older brother, Kelvin Davis, in June 2025. Following that match at the same Norfolk venue, Albright alleged he was attacked backstage by Keyshawn and his brother Keon. Keyshawn Davis later admitted he acted inappropriately during that incident. This history of friction framed the rematch as “unfinished business” for both camps.
Tactical dominance and a seventh-round deduction
Inside the ring, Davis utilized his superior hand speed and sharp combinations to control the tempo from the opening bell. He relied on fluid movement and body punching to keep Albright, nicknamed “Woo,” on the defensive. While Albright struggled to bridge the gap against the 70-inch reach of Davis, he managed to land a hard right hand in the fifth round that briefly buzzed the hometown favorite. However, Davis recovered quickly and resumed his technical assault.
A momentary lapse in discipline occurred during the seventh round when the referee deducted two points from Davis. The penalty was issued after Davis hoisted Albright into the air and slammed him to the canvas during a clinch. While such a steep deduction can often impact the momentum of a fight, Davis responded by increasing his output and battering Albright through the championship rounds. The strategy mirrored the technical focus seen when Mosley Jr. employs a disciplined jab strategy to neutralize aggressive opponents.
The final two rounds saw Davis landing heavy shots that visibly taxed Albright’s endurance. Although Albright remained standing until the final bell, he was unable to mount a significant counter-offensive against the high-volume punching of the Norfolk man. This performance serves as a vital rebounding point for Davis after Angelo Leo style weight struggles forced him out of the lightweight division last year.
Future title implications at super lightweight
Davis is currently positioned as the No. 1 contender by the WBO and No. 4 by the IBF at super lightweight (140 pounds). His successful move to the higher weight class follows a difficult period in 2025 when he missed weight by more than four pounds for a scheduled defense of his WBO lightweight world title. Even for this rematch, Davis initially came in slightly over the 140-pound limit on Friday before making weight on his second attempt.
The event carried extra significance for the promoter, Top Rank Boxing, as it served as the inaugural show under a new multi-year partnership with DAZN. By headlining such a transition, Davis has solidified his status as one of the promotion’s premier attractions. His ability to maintain composure after the point deduction demonstrates professional growth that will be necessary as he pursues a second world title in a new division.
“I felt amazing,” Davis said in the ring following the decision. “He’s a crafty fighter, he’s been around. I got the decision, that’s all that matters.” With the Albright chapter closed, the 27-year-old Norfolk star now looks toward the elite of the 140-pound landscape. As other veterans like Vasiliy Lomachenko return to professional boxing to chase titles elsewhere, the 140-pound division remains one of the most competitive fields in the sport.
Unlike his previous fight with Albright in Texas, there was no controversy regarding post-fight regulations this time. Davis carried his power well into the later rounds, particularly in the 11th and 12th, where his sustained body work prevented Albright from finding a late opening. The win ensures Davis remains in the mandatory conversation for multiple sanctioning bodies as the 2026 boxing season progresses.
