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In a few hours, Keyshawn Davis will have the chance to become one of the youngest lightweight world champions at 25. He will face the WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk at Madison Square Garden Theater. It is a pretty big night for The Businessman who has worked since his childhood to get to this moment.

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

However, accusations of racism have unfortunately hijacked the narrative of the event. It happened a few days ago when the Norfolk native revealed an incident with a package, which if true appears racist. According to the Olympic silver medalist, the same issue resurfaced during their official weigh-ins for the fight yesterday. However, this time Terence Crawford was right there to cheer him on.

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Terence Crawford standing by his brother

After the official weigh-in, FightHubTV shared a video of Keyshawn Davis explaining what went down at the event. It was an intense event where the duo even got physical. However, ‘The Businessman’ was far more hurt by the alleged racist comments made by people in the arena. In the video, Davis claimed, “I got pushed, racist slanders, all type of,” tricks were used to “try me get me out of my game.”

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“They try to get me out my game, damn. People that’s not even here. People that don’t got nothing to do with the fight, trying to get me out my game,” declared Keyshawn Davis in a veiled jab at Teofimo Lopez, whom Davis believes was behind sending him the package with bananas and watermelons.

However, he was not alone this time, as Terence Crawford was also present at the weigh-ins. Crawford uploaded a clip from the weigh-ins on his Instagram story and wrote, “Let’s go bro!!!” motivating his friend. In the clip, the two-division undisputed champion could be heard screaming from the crowd: “That’s right Key! It’s time to handle that business! Yes Sir!” The Omaha native shares a special bond with the 25-year-old as they train together at B&B Boxing Academy in Omaha, Nebraska, and even share a common trainer in Brian ‘Bomac’ Mcintyre. So, there was no way he would not be there on Keyshawn Davis’ biggest night.

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However, this isn’t the first instance where Keyshawn Davis has encountered racist behavior leading up to this fight. An issue that he addressed at the press conference as well.

Keyshawn Davis doesn’t wish to make Teofimo Lopez a millionaire

Earlier during the press conference, Davis revealed how he received a racist package from someone. “I wanna address the fact that this guy came to America to give me bananas and a watermelon with a note on it. It’s unprofessional, and I feel like it’s racist, and you just made this fight a little more personal,” revealed the Norfolk native.

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While Keyshawn Davis initially assumed it was someone from Denys Berinchyk’s team or the Ukrainian himself. However, Teofimo Lopez fanned controversy by posting a video of himself eating a banana while smiling at a TV watching Keyshawn Davis talking to the press about the alleged package. The video forced the 25-year-old to admit that he had removed The Takeover from his radar and refuse to “make him a millionaire,” by accepting a fight with him.

Coincidentally, Lopez had a similar incident with Terence Crawford where he challenged the latter by stating, “Whichever monkey wants to get the banana!” The statement was heavily criticized by the boxing world for its racist undertones. Crawford later responded to the statement claiming that it showed “the hatred that’s within,” Lopez. “That’s not something that’s just came out, that’s something that’s been inside that man that he was taught as a little kid,” stated Terence Crawford in an appearance on his friend’s stream.

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It looks like Teofimo Lopez has made enemies of both Keyshawn Davis and Terence Crawford at the moment, a move that might prove detrimental to his career. What do you think of recent incidents ahead of the WBO lightweight title match? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Written by

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Harsh Rana

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Harsh Rana, Senior Boxing Writer at EssentiallySports' Combat Trends desk, brings a sharp dual perspective shaped by legal training and newsroom instincts. A law graduate and member of the ES Journalistic Excellence Program (JEP), Harsh rose quickly through the ranks with incisive reporting on boxing’s complex world of contracts, regulations, and legacy disputes. His article on former world champion Thomas Hearns was highlighted by UFC commentator Joe Rogan on the JRE's X page. Whether breaking down legal battles or historical rivalries, Harsh delivers insight that hits just as hard as the fighters he covers.

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Gokul Pillai

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