“Albright is a born Philly spoiler, a guy to avoid,” Sergio Mora said on the Chris Mannix show.
This quote captures the problem of the Nahir Albright rematch. This is a risky situation, especially if you consider its psychological side. Rematches with spoilers like Nahir Albright are about surviving the guy who’s already figured out how to make you look bad.
For many fans, the first fight ended in a draw. One of the official judges had the same opinion, and the reality is that Keyshawn had issues with Albright’s length and timing. Taking him back home is a huge risk, as Albright is a specialist at ruining huge nights.
On the surface it looks like a homecoming. The same city, a familiar enemy, a built-in storyline from their first fight, and conflict between the camps. These elements make selling easier.
Complaining about having a victory overturned due to a failed drug test, even for marijuana, rarely resonates with fans. This ignored the fact that rules are rules in professional boxing, and the “buying a house” comment seemed tone deaf to many people who felt that Keyshawn had yet to achieve that level of success in the ring.
“Why do you have to put up a fight when you already have your hands full with this guy? This guy has already taught you, just like you taught him,” Mora said.
Top Rank has a very specific way of moving potential top investors. Since Albright’s panic, they have largely switched to players like Jose Pedraza, who was a shell of his former self, and Miguel Madueno. These fights are intended to rebuild the image of the KO artist without the risk of actually upsetting Keyshaw.
Albright has already “learned” Keyshawn. During their first fight, Albright realized he could take Keyshawn’s power and still be there in the 10th round. This certainty makes the spoiler even more risky the second time around.
While the recent series of opponents may seem like a series of secure bets, Albright is different. It is not a gimmee in the conventional sense of the word because it does not involve losing. He comes in to make the fight ugly, frustrate the A side, and steal rounds.
If Keyshawn doesn’t make significant changes to the way he handles pressure and clumsy moves, Norfolk may not be the celebration Top Rank expects.