Undefeated star Keyshawn Davis will challenge Ukraine’s Denis Berynchyk for the WBO lightweight title live at Madison Square Garden on February 15. Sky Sports.
Also on the bill, Puerto Rico standout Xander Zayas takes on undefeated fighter Slava Spomer and New Jersey-born middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. takes on world-ranked contender Conor Coyle.
Berinchyk, with an unblemished 19-0 (9) record, spent nearly a decade with Ukraine as an amateur, where his teammates included pound-for-pound great Vassily Lomachenko and undisputed two-weight king Oleksandr Usyk.
He won the European title in December 2022 on the Tyson Fury-Derek Chisora III undercard by decision over Ivan Mendy.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Denis Berinchik defeated Emmanuel Navarrete to win the WBO lightweight title by split decision
Eight months later, he defeated Anthony Yigit in Poland on the Usyk-Daniel Dubois bill, bringing him to Emmanuel Navarrete for the vacant WBO lightweight world title.
In his first title defense, Berinchik will once again play the underdog as he tries to derail Davis’ locomotive.
“I am not going to make big announcements or shower my opponent with compliments,” the Ukrainian said.
“I will only say one thing: do not relax, my friend, it will not be an easy fight for you.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Oleksandr Usyk watched and celebrated Ukraine’s Denis Berinchyk’s victory over Emmanuel Navarrete to win the WBO lightweight title.
But Davis warned. “This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. Denis Berinchik called me out and I answered.
“What I’m going to do has to be seen to be believed.”
Davis rose to the WBO No. 1 ranking as a professional in less than four years, displaying the skills that made him the most successful American amateur of his generation.
He completed 10 rounds in 2023, knocking out Yigit and dominating former European champion Francesco Patera to start the year.
The only blemish on his record, an October 2023 decision win over Naheer Albright that was changed to a no-contest after testing positive for marijuana, turned out to be slight speed.
He stopped former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza in February and defeated Mexican puncher Miguel Madueno in 10 one-sided rounds in July.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Keyshawn Davis was escorted by a marching band as he entered the ring against Gustavo Lemos on his way back home to Norfolk, Virginia.
Last November, Davis posted a career-best two-run shutout of Gustavo Lemos in front of 10,568 fans at a sold-out Scope Arena in Norfolk.
“Keyshawn Davis has what it takes to be a modern great, but he must first beat the undefeated, determined Ukrainian champion in Denis Berinchyk. This has all the makings of a lightweight classic in New York,” said Top Rank promoter Bob. Arum
“Xander Zayas faces a tough, undefeated kid in Slava Spomer, a great test for our Puerto Rican star as he approaches the world title. And with Vito Mielnik Jr., we’re in for a sensational three-header with Irishman Conor Coyle.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Keyshawn Davis vs. Miguel Madueno was a heated match as the referee threw a punch in an attempt to separate the pair late in the sixth round and Madueno did some WWE-style moves shortly after.
Xander Zayas said: “I’ve always dreamed of making New York my second home since I was a child, and it fills me with pride to know that thanks to great efforts and sacrifices, we are slowly getting more and more. more love from my fellow Puerto Ricans in the Big Apple.
“Fighting in front of my people at Madison Square Garden is always an honor and I look forward to giving them a great night of boxing.
“I will show that I am ready to fight for the world title at 154 pounds. I will not back down.”
Watch Denys Berinchyk vs Keyshawn Davis live Sky Sports on February 15
