The WBO World Lightweight Title match, scheduled as the main event of the Top Rank card broadcast by ESPN on June 7 (June 8 Japan time) at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, has been canceled after champion Keyshawn Davis (USA) — 13 wins (9 KOs), no losses, 1 no contest — failed to make weight due to being overweight.
At the official weigh-in held today at the venue, Davis tipped the scales at 139.3 pounds, close to the super lightweight limit. He made no further attempt to cut weight and was officially ruled over the limit, resulting in his disqualification from the weigh-in and being stripped of the world title.
Challenger Edwin De Los Santos (Dominican Republic), ranked No. 14 in the WBO lightweight division with a record of 16 wins (14 KOs) and 2 losses, successfully made weight at 134.7 pounds. Discussions were held between both camps and promoter Top Rank regarding proceeding with the bout as a modified world title fight — in which only De Los Santos would be eligible to win the title if victorious.
However, after several hours of negotiations over a same-day weigh-in limit and potential fines for Davis, who came in 4.3 pounds over the lightweight limit, the decision was ultimately made to cancel the fight. De Los Santos will still receive his full purse.
The bout had been heavily promoted as a homecoming title defense for Davis at the local venue, which holds approximately 11,000 spectators, with strong ticket sales. The cancellation has significantly damaged Davis’s reputation.
As a result, the co-main event — a 10-round lightweight bout between WBO No. 2 and WBC No. 4 Abdullah Mason (USA), who is undefeated in 18 fights with 16 KOs, and world title challenger Jeremiah Nakathila (Namibia), with a record of 26 wins (21 KOs) and 4 losses — will be elevated to the main event.
The now-vacant WBO lightweight title is expected to be contested in a title fight between Edwin De Los Santos and top-ranked contender Sam Noakes (UK), who holds an undefeated record of 17 wins (15 KOs). The winner will likely be required to make a mandatory defense against the No. 2 contender, Abdullah Mason.
Although Davis weighed in close to the super lightweight limit, it appears he had already struggled significantly to get down even to that weight. Negotiations over a same-day weigh-in condition became contentious. While a 50% increase in De Los Santos’s guaranteed purse was offered, his camp declined, stating, “Money is secondary. We’re not going to risk his life for a paycheck.” As a result, Top Rank ultimately chose to cancel the bout. Many fans and insiders have expressed support for the decision, saying it was right not to push the fight under unsafe conditions.
Attention now turns to what disciplinary action, if any, will be imposed on Davis by the official sanctioning bodies.
I believe it was a wise and courageous decision by De Los Santos to turn down the offer of a 50% increase in his purse, saying, “Money is secondary. We’re not going to risk his life for a paycheck.” On the other hand, it’s clear that Davis is having serious difficulty making weight. Before he can challenge for a title in a higher weight class, he will first need to rebuild his credibility.
Related Article: https://japansports-boxingmaster.com/keyshawn-davis-stripped-of-title-for-missing-weight-vs-edwin-de-los-santos-wbo-world-lightweight-title-fight/
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