Boxing World Slams Keyshawn Davis for Weight Miss and Altercation: 'Behave Like a Champion!'

The incident occurred ahead of Davis’s now-canceled June 8 title defense, where he failed to make weight by 3.5 pounds, leading to his temporary stripping of the WBO belt.

Atlas, known for his no-nonsense commentary, dissected the controversy with trademark bluntness, emphasizing that Davis’s actions betrayed the responsibilities of being a champion.

"There’s a responsibility that goes along with that title, champion," Atlas declared. "The responsibility is that you have to make sure you behave like a champion at all times. Not only in the corner, not only when you’ve been hurt, not only when you’re tired, but at all times."

The veteran trainer, who has mentored 18 world champions, stressed that Davis’s lapse in professionalism overshadowed his accomplishments, including his Olympic silver medal and undefeated record. Atlas acknowledged Davis’s talent and his ability to overcome mental health issues, but argued that greatness requires consistency beyond the ring.

“That night, for all the good things that Keyshawn Davis has done—and he's done a lot that I already touched on to get to where he's gotten to through life—he let himself down,” Atlas said in disappointment. “He let himself down because he forgot for a moment what a champion doesn't do.”

The altercation with Albright, which escalated into a physical confrontation at the Scope Arena in Virginia, further fueled Atlas’ criticism. 

Watch the incident here:

“There’s a responsibility that goes far beyond putting combinations together. It has got to do with the choices you make outside the ring, in life.” Atlas continued. “You must understand there are certain things that are just beneath you, that are not allowable.”

On an ESPN post-show reaction of the altercation, analyst Mark Kriegl and boxing veteran Timothy Bradley Jr. expressed their disdain for Davis’s behavior as well.

“It’s a damn shame... I admire the kid so much for what he has overcome and what he has shown at this very arena,” said Kriegl. “What we just saw was not supposed to happen. It was unnecessary and certainly didn’t hurt the Davis brothers.”

Bradley was much more critical in his assessment of the incident, extending his criticism to the other Davis brother, Keon, who was involved in the backstage brawl.

“[His] stock just plummeted to the floor,” Bradley said. “I was a Davis brothers fan, I was. Nah, I’m an Abdullah Mason, Mason five brothers fan because of the way they behave as true professionals.”

The fallout has been swift. The WBO reinstated Davis’ title only after he agreed to face mandatory challenger Edwin De Los Santos by September, but the damage to his reputation lingers.

Davis has yet to address the incident, but his antics could cost him lucrative fights, including a potential showdown with Gervonta Davis.