Keyshawn Davis’ search for his next opponent didn’t need to extend any further than where he previously left off.

BoxingScene has learned that Edwin De Los Santos is now firmly back in the mix to challenge for Davis’ WBO lightweight title. One day after talks seemingly collapsed, the team surrounding the Dominican Republic’s De Los Santos huddled and agreed to the previously offered terms. 

While the bout is not yet officially signed, it is in place where both sides can comfortably move forward with the proposed June 7 showdown in Davis’ hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. 

Ring Magazine was the first to report the dramatic status update. 

As previously reported by BoxingScene and other outlets, the fight appeared to be dead in the water just 24 hours prior. De Los Santos’ team initially waffled at a previously agreed upon verbal agreement once the offer was presented in writing. 

It was later learned that there was significant miscommunication between the boxer and his team. De Los Santos was led to believe that he was making closer to $225,000 for the fight, whereas the agreed-upon offer was nearly double that amount. 

The public reveal was enough to cause an internal stir, and to provide Davis with a sense of relief as he can focus on his first title defense. 

Davis, 13-0 (9 KOs), won the WBO lightweight title in a one-sided, fourth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten titleholder Denys Berinchyk. Davis twice floored Berinchyk to force the stoppage at 1:45 of the fourth round on February 14 at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City.

The career-best feat came three months after Davis headlined in his hometown for the first time as a pro. The 2020 Olympic silver medalist for Team USA treated the packed crowd at Norfolk’s Scope Arena as he slaughtered Argentina’s Gustavo Lemos inside of two rounds last November.

His return home as a major titlist comes in the spirit of Norfolk’s most notable prizefighter, the late, great Pernell Whitaker who was a local fixture throughout the 1980s and 1990s. 

De Los Santos, 16-2 (14 KOs), will now receive his second consecutive shot at a lightweight title. The 25-year-old southpaw from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic has not fought since a November 2023 unanimous decision defeat to Shakur Stevenson in their ESPN-aired vacant WBC lightweight title fight from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.