Keyshawn ‘The Businessman’ Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) will defend his shiny, new WBO world lightweight title to challenger Edwin De Los Santos (16-2, 14 KOs) on June 7 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
Davis-De Los Santos will headline a Top Rank event, broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+ from 7pm PT / 10pm ET.
Dominican Republic’s Edwin De Los Santos is already a world title contender.
After an extensive amateur career, fighting in over 260 bouts and only losing a handful, the southpaw turned pro in 2018 and won his first 13 fights, with 12 knockouts.
All his impressive victories came in his homeland, before his American pro debut in January 2022 ended in a split decision defeat to William Foster III. However, he finished the year strongly with two quick KOs against Luis Acosta (KO2) and Jose Valenzuela (KO3).
When Devin Haney vacated his belts, De Los Santos and Shakur Stevenson contested the vacant WBC lightweight belt in November 2023, in what was a close but largely dull affair ending in a unanimous decision win to crown the Newark fighter a three-weight world champion.
He now gets a second crack at the crown, but it comes after 19 months of inactivity.
Keyshawn Davis worked his way up to WBO #1 contender with emphatic victories over Jose Pedraza (TKO6), Miguel Madueno (UD10), and Gustavo Lemos (KO2), all within the same year – 2024.
He earned his right to challenge the WBO world lightweight champion, Denys Berinchyk, on February 14 in New York.
He knocked out the champion in round four to capture his first word title, four days before the 36th anniversary of his boxing hero and fellow Norfolk legend, Pernell Whitaker, winning the IBF lightweight title in Virginia.
Keyshawn wants to follow in the footsteps of his local idol, who sadly passed away in 2019, by bringing back boxing to his native Norfolk, accompanied by his two boxing brothers.
“Norfolk and the Seven Cities, get ready for another spectacular show,” Davis declared. “My first main event at Scope Arena was like something out of a movie, and the sequel will be even better.
“Kelvin and Keon will set the tone, and I’ll make it a 3-0 evening for DB3. Edwin has had a lot to say recently, but he will be awfully quiet after I get through with him on June 7.”
De Los Santos added, “I want to thank Keyshawn Davis for giving me the opportunity to become the WBO champion. Thank you to Top Rank and my promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, as well. It will be a great fight, but Keyshawn has made his first big mistake as a professional by choosing to face me. I will prove how big of a mistake it is on June 7. I will come to Norfolk in perfect shape and looking for a knockout.”
“Keyshawn Davis is a generational talent, someone who is a tremendous representative for Norfolk and the Seven Cities,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Keyshawn is always asking for the most dangerous opposition, and Edwin De Los Santos qualifies as such. He’s a worthy contender intent on silencing another passionate, sold-out crowd at the historic Scope Arena.”
Keyshawn will be joined by siblings Kelvin (15-0, 8 KOs), and Keon (2-0, 1 KO), who, together, are known as DB3.
In the 10-round lightweight co-feature, Cleveland’s Abdullah Mason faces the most recognisable name of his career in Namibian puncher Jeremia Nakathila.
