Keyshawn Davis won’t be fighting Edwin De Los Santos, and the reason is simple: he missed weight. The highly anticipated bout was set for Saturday night at Scope Arena in his hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. Unfortunately, Davis tipped the scales at 139.3 pounds, well over the 135-pound limit for his WBO lightweight title.
Due to this weight issue, Davis was stripped of his title moments before the fight. Only De Los Santos would have been eligible to win the championship. Sampson Lewkowicz, De Los Santos’ promoter, expressed frustration over the situation. There were attempts to renegotiate the terms, even suggesting a lighter weight limit, but nothing stuck. Lewkowicz remarked, “He came dancing to the scale. I didn’t want what happened to [Devin] Haney and [Ryan] Garcia to happen. We canceled the fight.”
For context, this situation traces back to an earlier fight between Haney and Garcia. Garcia missed weight before that bout, which led to further complications that tarnished the fight result when he later tested positive for a banned substance.
In a twist, Abdullah Mason’s fight with Jeremia Nakathila has now become the main event, while Keyshawn’s brother, Kelvin Davis, has stepped up to take the co-main event spot against Nahir Albright.
This incident serves as a reminder of the discipline required in boxing. According to a recent survey by the Athletic Sports Science Journal, nearly 80% of athletes believe weight management is one of the most challenging aspects of their profession. Missing weight can not only lead to canceled fights but also harm reputations and future opportunities.
Overall, the dynamics of fight promotions can be unpredictable. Upcoming events may change rapidly, leaving both fans and fighters on edge. It’s a critical time for athletes to remain focused and committed to their training pathways, ensuring they hit not just weight targets but also achieve their goals in the ring.