Davis vs Albright Predictions: Two steps forward, one step back for Keyshawn

Former WBO lightweight champion Keyshawn Davis rematches Nahir Albright at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The super lightweight bout headlines a live DAZN card that also features the return of ex-WBO welterweight kingpin Brian Norman Jr and another look at 16-0 Dominican prospect Yan Santana.

Read on for my Davis vs Albright predictions ahead of this lightning rod of a rematch.

Davis vs Albright Odds

Davis is priced at 1/12, which makes sense given his performance in the first outing and his status as an unbeaten former world ruler. Albright is a 9/1 underdog while the draw is marketed at 12/1. Albright’s most recent result was a draw with world-ranked Frank Martin.

Davis vs Albright Fight Preview

Davis was awarded a majority decision over Albright when the pair met in a lightweight contest back in 2023. But Keyshawn failed an anti-doping test, with marijuana being found in his system. The performance-enhancing nature of cannabis is virtually non-existent, but boxing espouses a zero tolerance policy on the substance and thus the result was amended to a No Contest.

While Albright is understandably keen to avenge his not-a-loss from three years ago, Davis has gone public with his lack of enthusiasm for this sequel fight. While Keyshawn is keen to headline the Scope in his native Norfolk, the former WBO lightweight king says he would have preferred to meet Oscar Duarte, who appears in every major world top 10, over unranked Albright. 

Advance ticket sales are reportedly not huge, proving Davis’ point. Albright is a fringe world level fighter with a decent record but, despite the PED failure, most fans view him as a bridge Davis has already crossed.

The American is aiming higher than Saturday’s scrap. Davis is currently the mandatory challenger to WBO super lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, though the pair are close friends which may preclude them from fighting. But Stevenson has called out welterweight pair Conor Benn and Devin Haney. If Shakur moves up, his vacated super lightweight title could be on the line in a future Davis outing.

Keyshawn is also ranked fourth by the IBF, whose title is currently vacant. A bout with third-ranked Duarte may have even come with the unoccupied belt on the line.

Davis has already started making plans for his next match-up, targeting WBO welterweight champion Haney in particular. But woe betide the fighter who looks past his most pressing upcoming engagement.

Despite the apathy, you can see the logic of promoters Top Rank being seduced by the WWE trappings of this rematch. Not only was Albright wronged by a boxer using a banned substance, but he has also made this a family affair.

Albright beat Keyshawn’s brother, Kelvin Davis, by majority decision last summer. Reportedly, Nahir was then involved in an altercation with Keyshawn and another brother, Keon Davis, after the fight.

The perceived skill-gap has meant this storied fight has not resonated with the public as much as Top Rank expected. As gauche as it may sound, one might argue the American promoters are not leaning on the personal angle as much as a UK company may have done. Controversy creates cash. Just ask David Haye and Derek Chisora or Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn. 

This is an intriguing fight if nothing else. But after this, it is time to put Keyshawn Davis in truly electrifying contests. Haney, Stevenson or Duarte must be next if the immense promise of the Olympic and World Championships silver medalist is to be fully realised.

Davis vs Albright Full Card

Keyshawn Davis vs Nahir Albright

Yan Santana vs Cristian Cruz Chacon

Kelvin Davis vs Peter Dobson

Brian Norman Jr vs Josh Wagner

Keon Davis vs Edwine Humaine Junior

Dedrick Crocklem vs Eric Howard

Davis vs Albright Prediction

Davis is at his best when he is fully focused. When that slips, like the late cancellation of a fight with Edwin De Los Santos after Keyshawn missed weight by a four-pound margin, we see the worst of the Virginia stylist.

Since the first Albright fight, Davis has cultivated a ruthless edge to his work. Any concerns that his power would not follow him to 140lbs were laid to rest when the 27-year-old knocked out former title challenger Jamaine Ortiz in 12 rounds back in January.

That big win came after signing off at 135lbs with a fourth-round KO of the dangerous Denys Berinchyk to win the WBO lightweight crown. Davis has gone 5-0 since the Albright fight, finishing four of those battles inside the distance.

Albright is coming off a draw with the gifted Martin that some, Davis included, thought he did enough to win. His only other appearance in the last three years was the aforementioned win over Keyshawn’s brother, 15-0 Kelvin Davis.

Keyshawn is entering his prime. The performances have sometimes been undermined by a lack of discipline outside of the ring. But between the ropes, the 27-year-old looks every inch the star. I think he becomes the first fighter to finish Albright. Davis to win is 1/12.

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