Keyshawn Davis vs Nahir Albright — DAZN Debut May 16

Keyshawn Davis Picks Albright Rematch for DAZN Debut — May 16 in Norfolk

Keyshawn Davis headlines Top Rank's inaugural DAZN main event against bitter rival Nahir Albright on May 16 in Norfolk, Virginia. A grudge rematch at junior welterweight with genuine bad blood.

  • Keyshawn Davis headlines Top Rank's first DAZN main event against Nahir Albright on May 16 in Norfolk, Virginia, in a 12-round junior welterweight grudge rematch
  • Their 2023 fight ended in a no-contest after Davis's majority decision was overturned; Albright later beat Keyshawn's brother Kelvin, fuelling a bitter personal rivalry
  • Davis returns at 140lbs after a stoppage win over Jamaine Ortiz in January; Albright comes off a competitive draw with Frank Martin in February

A Rivalry That Goes Way Beyond the Ring

Right then, this is a proper grudge match. Keyshawn Davis has picked Nahir Albright for his DAZN debut on May 16 in Norfolk, Virginia, and make no mistake — there is genuine bad blood between these two. This isn't manufactured promotion. This is real. Their first fight back in 2023 ended with Davis winning a majority decision that was later overturned to a no-contest after a positive marijuana test. That's the kind of result that leaves both men feeling they've got unfinished business. Albright never accepted the loss. Davis never accepted the no-contest. Neither has moved on. Then Albright went and beat Keyshawn's brother Kelvin by majority decision last June, followed by a post-fight confrontation that reportedly turned physical. If you know, you know — this rivalry runs deep.

Davis Settles Into 140

Davis has been through a rough patch. He came in 4.3 pounds overweight for his scheduled WBO lightweight title defence against Edwin De Los Santos last June, which cost him the belt and cancelled the fight entirely. That's not a good look for an Olympic silver medallist who's supposed to be one of America's brightest prospects. But he's since moved up to junior welterweight, and in January he stopped Jamaine Ortiz at Madison Square Garden in his 140-pound debut. That's a proper statement. At 140, Davis looks more comfortable. He's not draining himself to make weight, and that stoppage of Ortiz showed the power carries up. He's quick, he's sharp, and he's got the amateur pedigree to back it all up. The question is whether he's facing the right opponents to truly test himself at this weight.

Is Albright the Right Fight?

Let's not beat around the bush — some people will look at this and say Davis is being protected. Albright is a solid fighter with a decent resume, but he's not in the same conversation as the real dangers at 140. There are fighters like Ernesto Mercado, freshly free from Matchroom and desperate for a big fight, or WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell who would represent a far sterner examination. But there's context here. This is Top Rank's first DAZN main event — they need a fight that sells, that has a story, that generates buzz. Davis vs Albright ticks every box. The personal animosity, the unresolved first fight, the brother angle — it's made for television. And Norfolk is Davis's backyard. He'll have a passionate crowd behind him and a platform to announce himself to the DAZN audience.

Albright Is No Walkover

Don't sleep on Albright, either. He drew with Frank Martin in February — that's a quality result against a legitimate world-level operator. Albright is tough, experienced, and has shown he belongs at this level. He's the kind of fighter who rises to the occasion in big fights, and this is the biggest fight of his career. Coming into his rival's hometown to settle a score? That takes bottle.

Prediction

I'm picking Davis to win this by late stoppage, rounds eight to ten. He's the more talented fighter with better tools, and at 140 he's not compromised by the weight cut. But Albright will make it competitive, he'll make it personal, and he'll push Davis harder than some people expect. This is going to be a brilliant fight with genuine needle. Norfolk's going to be rocking on May 16 — and Top Rank couldn't have picked a better way to launch their DAZN partnership.

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