Fight Preview: Denys Berinchyk vs Keyshawn Davis
Undefeated lightweights collide on Valentines Day as American star Keyshawn Davis looks to dethrone WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk in the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden.
Former Olympic silver medalist Davis will fight for a world title in his just 13th professional fight and is coming off a career-best win over Gustavo Daniel Lemos in November last year, stopping the Argentine in the second round.
Davis will face off against Ukrainian veteran Berinchyk, who like his foe this weekend is a former Olympic medalist. 36-year-old Berinchyk is undefeated in 19 professional fights and will make the first defence of his WBO title on Friday after picking up the vacant belt in a split decision victory over multiple weight world champion Emmanuel Navarratte last year.
Berinchyk however, has had a career of inactivity fighting just once a year since 2021, compared to Davis who has fought 12 times since turning professional in February of 2021.
Davis is also 11 years younger than his Ukrainian counterpart and will hope being the fresher and younger fighter will tilt the bout in his way on fight night.
With eight stoppages in his 12 bouts, the power of ‘The Businessman’ Davis could be a major factor in the fight. However this is by far the toughest test of the young American’s career, and he can’t afford to be complacent against a skilled operator like Berinchyk.
A win for Davis would put him alongside Vasiliy Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis as major titleholders in the lightweight division, potentially setting up some mouthwatering clashes in the future.
There have certainly been question marks over the legitimacy of Davis’ run to a world title shot, however a win over Berinchyk would solidify his position as one of the best in the lightweights division.
Fight prediction:
Both fighters are yet to taste defeat in a professional boxing ring and I expect this one to be a closely contested affair. It would be no surprise to see Davis come out of the blocks firing in the opening rounds, but Berinchyk is a durable, smart and tough fighter who will do everything he can to take the young challenger into unknown territory. Davis carries more speed and power than the Ukrainian, but I don’t think he can stop Berinchyk. If he does it’ll be some statement.
Overall prediction: Keyshawn davis to beat Denys Berinchyk by SD
