How Keyshawn Davis’ Weigh-In Fail Led To Abdullah Mason’s Big Break Headlining

Abdullah Mason says he’s “grateful” to be getting the opportunity to fight in the main event against Jeremia Nakathilia this Saturday night on ESPN at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

Mason states that he had to be “prepared for this moment”, and he wants to take advantage of it by gaining new fans with an impressive victory. It’s unusual for 21-year-old fighters to be given headline spots live on ESPN, and he would have never gotten it if not for Keyshawn Davis dropping the ball.

The lightweight contender, Mason (18-0, 16 KOs), has been given the chance to headline after Keyshawn Davis’ fight against Edwin De Los Santos was canceled by Top Rank today because Davis came in overweight at the weigh-in.

Last Thursday, Keyshawn attempted to embarrass Mason by confronting him in front of the media, daring him to fight him next, despite him not having experience in either amateurs or pros for that kind of contest. Keyshawn’s failure to make weight has led to him being viewed as undisciplined, with many fans believing he intentionally did so to try to get an unfair advantage.

If Mason looks spectacular against Nakathilia, he could be moved into main event status for Top Rank’s future cards involving him. That means more fame, bigger fighters, and higher pay.

“I had to be prepared for this moment, and I am. I’m just grateful to step up as the main event and come here,” said Abdullah Mason to Fight Hub TV about replacing Keyshawn Davis in the main event for Saturday night on ESPN in Norfolk, Virginia.

Abdullah’s Prime Time to Shine

It’s the perfect situation for Mason to shine on Saturday, because he’s been stealing the show fighting on undercards recently. However, with the fights being buried well below the main event, he didn’t get the attention that he otherwise would have gotten if he had headlined so, if he looks outstanding on Saturday with a highlight reel knockout. It’s going to change his career. That’s not only great for him, but for Top Rank as well.

Keyshawn’s brother, light welterweight Kelvin Davis, will be moving into the co-feature slot for his 10-round fight against Nahir Albright this Saturday. It’s a perfect spot for Kelvin to receive some badly needed attention for his career. Kelvin’s fight was supposed to be on the preliminary card, but now he’s been upgraded to the main card.

“My goal is to show out for Norfolk, and for everybody watching me in the main event,” said Mason. “It’s going to be my second time on ESPN. In the main event, there are going to be a lot of people watching me that have never seen me before. So, I’m just focused on Saturday night.

“For that fight to fall out, I see it as a positive for my career. Norfolk is pretty much becoming my second home now. It’s my first main event. My first time out here, everybody loved me [against Yohan Vasquez]. They embraced me. So, for me to be here now, I feel like everybody is still excited to watch the fight,” said Mason.