Undefeated star Keyshawn Davis will challenge Ukraine’s Denys Berinchyk for the WBO lightweight world title at the Madison Square Garden Theatre on February 15, live on Sky Sports.
Also on the bill Puerto Rican standout Xander Zayas steps up against fellow unbeaten fighter Slawa Spomer and New Jersey-born middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr looks to upend world-ranked contender Connor Coyle.
Berinchyk, with a flawless 19-0 (9) record, spent nearly a decade on the Ukrainian national team as an amateur, where his team-mates included pound-for-pound great Vasiliy Lomachenko and two-weight undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk.
He won the European title in December 2022 on the Tyson Fury-Derek Chisora III undercard, notching a decision over Yvan Mendy.
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Denys Berinchyk beats Emanuel Navarette to claim the WBO lightweight title by split decision
Eight months later, he bested Anthony Yigit on the Usyk-Daniel Dubois bill in Poland, earning him a crack at Emanuel Navarrete for the vacant WBO lightweight world title. He stunned the ferocious Mexican warrior last May, tallying a split decision at Pechanga Arena San Diego.
For his first title defence, Berinchyk will play the role of underdog once more, attempting to derail the Davis locomotive.
“I’m not going to make any big statements or shower my opponent with compliments,” the Ukrainian said.
“I’ll just say one thing: Don’t relax, dude! It won’t be an easy fight for you!”
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Oleksandr Usyk watched on and celebrated fellow Ukranian Denys Berinchyk’s victory over Emanuel Navarrete to claim the WBO lightweight title.
But Davis warned: “This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. Denys Berinchyk called me out, and I answered.
“What I’m going to do must be seen to be believed.”
Davis ascended to the WBO No 1 ranking in less than four years as a pro, showcasing the skills that made him the most accomplished American amateur of his generation.
He graduated to 10-rounders 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 victory over Nahir Albright that changed to a no-contest after a positive marijuana test – proved to be a minor speed bump.
He stopped former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza in February and overcame Mexican puncher Miguel Madueno over 10 one-sided rounds in July.
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Keyshawn Davis was accompanied by a marching band as he made his entrance to the ring against Gustavo Lemos on his homecoming in Norfolk, Virginia.
Davis authored a career-best performance last November, starching Gustavo Lemos in two rounds in front of 10,568 fans at a sold-out Scope Arena in Norfolk.
“Keyshawn Davis has everything it takes to be a modern-day great, but he must first defeat an unbeaten, determined Ukrainian champion in Denys Berinchyk. This has all the makings of a lightweight classic in New York City,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
“Xander Zayas is facing a tough, undefeated kid in Slawa Spomer, an excellent test for our Puerto Rican star as he nears a world title shot. And with Vito Mielnicki Jr. facing unbeaten Irishman Connor Coyle, we have a sensational tripleheader in store for the fans.”
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Keyshawn Davis vs Miguel Madueno was a heated match as the referee took a hit trying to split up the pair at the end of round six and Madueno pulled out some WWE style moves shortly after.
Xander Zayas said: “Since I was a kid, I always dreamed of making New York City my second home, and it fills me with pride to know that with a lot of effort and sacrifice, little by little, we have been receiving more and more love from my Puerto Ricans from ‘The Big Apple’.
“Fighting in front of my people at Madison Square Garden is always a great honour, and I can’t wait to give them a great night of boxing.
“I will show I am ready to challenge for a world title at 154lbs. I will not back down!”
Watch Denys Berinchyk vs Keyshawn Davis live on Sky Sports on Feburary 15
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